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Debutante Kayla Reyneke's Last-Ball Six Seals Thrilling ODI Win for South Africa

Kayla Reyneke announced her arrival on the international stage by hitting a six off the final ball to secure a dramatic two-wicket win for South Africa over New Zealand. Ayabonga Khaka set up the victory with a career-best 6-56, restricting the hosts to 268 despite Maddy Green's anchoring 85. South Africa's chase was built on a 123-run partnership between Annerie Dercksen (72) and Sune Luus (53), but stuttered late before Reyneke's unbeaten 42 guided them home. The win gives the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Key Points: Reyneke's last-ball six seals dramatic SA win over NZ in 1st ODI

  • Debutant hits match-winning six
  • Khaka takes career-best 6-56
  • Dercksen and Luus set up chase
  • Green's 85 anchors NZ innings
  • SA takes 1-0 series lead
2 min read

Debutante Reyneke hits last-ball six to seal thrilling ODI win for SA over NZ

Kayla Reyneke hits a six on the final ball of her ODI debut to give South Africa a thrilling two-wicket victory over New Zealand in Christchurch.

"Kayla Reyneke struck a last-ball six on her ODI debut to seal a dramatic two-wicket victory. - Match Report"

Christchurch, March 29

Kayla Reyneke struck a last-ball six on her ODI debut to seal a dramatic two-wicket victory for South Africa over New Zealand in the series opener at the Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Player of the Match Kayla finished unbeaten on 42 off 32 balls and guided the Proteas home after Ayabonga Khaka's career-best 6-56 had restricted the hosts to 268. Annerie Dercksen top-scored with 72 from 93 deliveries, while Sune Luus added 53, which kept the chase alive before Kayla took them home.

New Zealand, asked to bat first under overcast skies, were being led to safety by Georgia Plimmer (28) and Amelia Kerr (36) before Khaka and Chloe Tryon struck in quick succession to reduce the home side to 112/4 after 28 overs.

Maddy Green anchored the innings with her 10th half-century, sharing an 80-run stand with Izzy Gaze (37) and later adding 92 runs with Jess Kerr (24) in the final overs. Khaka returned to claim four late wickets as the White Ferns were bowled out in the 50th over.

South Africa's reply faltered early as Jess Kerr and Bree Illing removed Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt to leave the visitors at 30/2 in six overs. Annerie and Sune rebuilt with a 123-run partnership, but New Zealand hit back through Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, who dismissed the set batters in successive overs, along with Sinalo Jafta and Chloe falling cheaply.

At 190/6, the chase looked in trouble, but Nadine de Klerk (39) combined with Kayla to add 48 runs before Rosemary Mair's late strikes left the match finely poised.

With 22 needed off the final 13 balls, Kayla along with Tumi Sekhukhune (six not out) cleared the ropes twice in the last over, including on the final delivery, to hand South Africa a thrilling win and a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 268 (Maddy Green 85, Izzy Gaze 37; Ayabonga Khaka 6-56) lost to South Africa 269/8 (Annerie Dercksen 72, Sune Luus 53; Amelia Kerr 2-31) by two wickets

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Khaka's 6-wicket haul was the real game-changer. SA were in trouble at 190/6, but what a partnership from de Klerk and the debutante. Last-ball six to win an ODI... simply incredible. More power to women's sport!
A
Aman W
While the finish was brilliant, NZ will be kicking themselves. 268 was a good total, but they let it slip in the field during the final overs. That last over from Mair will be analyzed for a long time. Pressure does strange things.
S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, I stayed up late to watch this. Totally worth it! The Dercksen-Luus partnership was classy, and then Reyneke just exploded at the end. This is the kind of match that gets new fans into the game.
K
Karthik V
Respectful criticism: The article could have given a bit more context on Reyneke's journey to the national team. A debut like this is a huge story! But anyway, kudos to the Proteas. Hope our Indian women's team is watching and getting inspired for their next series.
N
Nisha Z
Maddy Green's 85 went in vain. She played so well to anchor the innings. Sometimes cricket can be cruel. But what a match! This is the perfect advertisement for the women's game. Yaar, my heart was racing just reading about it!

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