First T20 between Proteas and White Ferns abandoned due to rain

The first T20 International between South Africa and New Zealand at Buffalo Park in East London was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.

The second (Sunday 8 October) and third (Tuesday 10 October) matches in the series of five encounters are also at Buffalo Park. The action then moves to Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October.

The Proteas recently clinched the ODI series 2-1 and will aim to carry their success over to the shortest format of the game.

Looking at the head-to-head T20 stats against the White Ferns, there is a tough task ahead for the home team as the visitors have won 10 of the 13 previous encounters between the two teams.

In their last match, South Africa did however hand New Zealand a hefty 65-run defeat at the T20 World Cup in February in Paarl.

SA captain Laura Wolvaardt is in red-hot form with the runs flowing off her bat at the moment.

She scored 50 in the first ODI and 124 not out in the second ODI. Nadine de Klerk has also given great strides forward in cementing her place in the side as an allrounder.

Amelia Kerr’s 100 not out in the last ODI, gave New Zealand a vital victory going into the T20 series.

She scored 88 in the second ODI. Leah Tahuhu has been the standout bowler for the White Ferns so far, taking five wickets in the ODI series.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon, Delmi Tucker.

NEW ZEALAND: Sophie Devine (capt), Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Bella Armstrong, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Melie Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.