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Wolvaardt hails Proteas bowling effort after T20 series-level win

cricket16 October 2023 08:32| © MWP
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Proteas © Getty Images

Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt hailed their bowling department after they helped snatch an 11-run victory in the fifth and final T20 against New Zealand in Benoni on Sunday.

The Proteas levelled the weather-affected five-match T20 series 1-1, and following their 2-1 ODI series against the White Ferns.

Chasing 156 on a used Willowmoore Park pitch, New Zealand looked all but cruising to their target with Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates' 97-run second-wicket partnership.

However, a batting collapse spurred on by Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk and the Proteas flipped the script to the delight of the Benoni crowd.

Kerr's wicket sent the visitors into an epic batting collapse, losing six wickets for just eight runs.

"We stayed calm and we kept on hitting our lines as bowlers and just kept things simple," said Klaas, who took the Player of the Match award.

From sitting comfortably at 130-2, New Zealand found themselves spiralling out of control and falling to brilliant death bowling by the Proteas, eventually stumbling to 138-8.

Klaas took three for 26 and De Klerk's three for 20, the Proteas defended the target and restricted NZ to 144-8.

Wolvaardt hailed their seam bowling as yorkers helped the Proteas' cause in sealing the win.

"It was an incredible bowling performance, especially at the end. They (New Zealand) had the game, and we just had some great seam bowling at the end," said Wolvaardt after the game.

"We really nailed those plans... Death bowling has been an area we've been looking at over the last T20s. We are really happy everything came together again, and our whole team has done exceptionally well."

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