The White Ferns’ see-sawing T20 series against South Africa has swung back towards New Zealand, thanks to a six-wicket victory over the Proteas at Eden Park.
Having opened the series with a win in Tauranga, but seen it levelled in Hamilton, the White Ferns now lead 2-1 with two to play, as New Zealand’s old guard led the way in Auckland.
After being asked to bowl first, New Zealand’s attack were excellent in restricting South Africa to 149-7 from their 20 overs, before reaching their target with eight balls to spare.
Fresh from picking up $476,000 from a contract with English “The Hundred” side Welsh Fire, Devine gave another reminder that she’s priceless for the White Ferns, with bat and ball.
An all-round display, taking 2-21 with the ball and hammering an unbeaten 54 off 34 balls with the bat, was too much for South Africa to handle, as the Proteas women marked their first Eden Park appearance with a loss.
Devine was backed up by Maddy Green (35 not out off 27) as part of an unbroken 79-run partnership, while fellow veteran Suzie Bates stood out with the ball, taking 2-10 in her new role as a bowling allrounder.
The White Ferns can seal a series win as early as Sunday, when the two sides head to Wellington for game four, as part of a double-header with the Black Caps and Proteas men.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, South Africa would feel under-par at posting 149-7. On the short boundaries of Eden Park, only 15 of the innings’ 120 deliveries were hit to or over the rope.
Openers Tamzin Brits (0) and Sune Luus (3) both lost their stumps to Rosemary Mair (1-32) and Jess Kerr (1-30) respectively, as South Africa reached 39-2 after the power play.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt was fortunate to survive on 9 when she avoided cover off Mair, but lost Annerie Dercksen (27), bowled by Devine (2-21), after clearing the ropes one ball previous to break the innings-high partnership of 51.
From 78-3 at halfway, Bates’ introduction saw the Proteas’ middle order falter. A wobble of 41-4 was highlighted by Wolvaardt’s run out by rival skipper Amelia Kerr, for a frustrating 37 off 39 balls.
It was only a late blitz from Kayla Reyneke – repeating the dose from Hamilton earlier in the week – that lifted South Africa’s score above seven-an-over. Coming in at No 7, Reyneke hammered an unbeaten 34 from 20 balls, including two sixes in the final over, to ensure the White Ferns would face a tricky chase for victory.
Chasing 150, the White Ferns lost Georgia Plimmer (4) in the second over, and opening partner Izzy Gaze (17) in the fifth, as New Zealand reached the end of the power play at 42-2.
Captain Kerr and Devine added 30 runs together to bring the target to less than 100, only for South Africa to strike twice before halfway. Kerr fell LBW attempting to reverse sweep Nonkululeko Mlaba, before Brooke Halliday (1) was run out in the same over, as the White Ferns were left needing 82 off the last 10 overs, with six wickets in hand.
From there, though, Devine did what she does best. Joined by Green, Devine powered on to take the target to less than 50 from the final six overs.
A low full toss from Nadine de Klerk was hammered to the long-on fence, and took Devine to a 29-ball half-century, with six boundaries and a six for good measure as she and Green raised their 50 stand in 35 deliveries.
At the other end, Green joined the party with a six over long-on, one delivery after she was dropped on the midwicket fence by Dercksen, before taking the target to less than a run-a-ball with a straight drive for four.
And, as is the case in the modern game, once the target became achievable in singles, New Zealand’s victory was never in doubt, as four wides from de Klerk saw the target reached.
South Africa 149-7 (Wolvaardt 37; Bates 2-10, Devine 2-21)
New Zealand 152-4 (Devine 54 not out, Green 34 not out; Dercksen 1-17)
New Zealand win by six wickets
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.