White Ferns lose to last-ball South African six
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Debutant allrounder Kayla Reyneke cleared the boundary with a final-ball six to give South Africa a two wicket win in the opening one-day series against the White Ferns at Hagley Oval.
Chasing a target of 269 for victory the visitors had Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus put on 123 runs for the third wicket, but veteran Suzie Bates struck to bring momentum the home sides way.
ATEST HEADLINES:
Bates bowled Dercksen for 72 and, then in the next over, held a catch from Melie Kerr's bowling to dismiss Luus for 53.
New Zealand pulled the run rate back and South Africa entered the final over needing 14 runs off the final six balls, with wily Bates entrusted with the ball.
Twenty-two-year-old Reyneke hit a six off the third ball, but still needed another off the last ball for victory, which was hit with seemingly not a care in the world.
The best of the New Zealand bowlers captain Amelia Kerr with 2-31 from 10 overs while Jess Kerr had 2-45 and Rosemary Mair 2-52.
Earlier, Maddy Green's half-century steered the White Ferns to a challenging total, as she struck 85 of 83 balls.
Green and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze came together for a 70-run partnership that upped the scoring rate.
Amelia Kerr made 38 while openers Bates hit 20 and Georgia Plimmer 28 with Jess Kerr adding 24 down the order.
The second match is scheduled for Wednesday at Wellington's Basin Reserve.