Laura Woolvardt guides South Africa to a 2-0 series win over New Zealand

Having taken a 1-0 lead over New Zealand women in the first ODI, South Africa women once again locked horns with the Sophie Devine-led side in the second ODI of the three-match series on Thursday, September 28 at City Oval, Pietermaritzburg. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and invited New Zealand to bat first. The invitation was happily accepted as openers Suzie Bates (14 off 29) and Amelie Kerr (88 off 110) added 49 runs for the first wicket off 87 balls.

After losing Bates and captain Devine (12 off 11) quickly, Kerr held one end and added 92 runs for the third wicket with Maddy Green (43 off 50). The partnership was broken by Nonkululeko Mlaba who dismissed Green by catching her off her own bowling in the 31^st over. Mlaba also accounted for Kerr who played a brilliant innings of 88 (110) with the help of 14 hours.

However, following their dismissals, South Africa were left reeling at 199/8 in 41.3 overs. A 54-run partnership between Hannah Rowe (40 off 57) and Lea Tahuhu (23 off 23) took South Africa to 253 as they got all out in 49.5 overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba (3/41) and Nadine de Klerk (3/44) picked up three wickets each for South Africa.

In reply, South Africa lost their opener Tazmin Brits (17 off 20) early in the innings as Lea Tahuhu got the first wicket for New Zealand. Lara Goodall (3 off 7) walked in at number 3 but departed cheaply leaving her side on 43/2 after 7.4 overs.

South Africa won the match by seven wickets

However, captain Laura Wolvaardt held one end and took the innings ahead by adding 98 runs for the third wicket with Sune Luus (53 off 57). Tahuhu once again brought New Zealand back into the game by dismissing Luus in the 26^th over. At the other end, Wolvaardt continued her knock and ended up scoring a magnificent hundred (124* off 141). She got involved in an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 116* runs with Marizanne Kapp (45 off 49).

As a result, South Africa chased down the target of 254 in 45.2 overs and won the match by seven wickets. The victory also sealed the series for the hosts by 2-0 with one game remaining.