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New Zealand Women Crush South Africa by 66 Runs to Clinch ODI Series 2-1

New Zealand secured a 66-run victory over South Africa in the third ODI to win the series 2-1. A record 211-run partnership between Maddy Green, who remained unbeaten on 141, and Brooke Halliday rescued New Zealand from a precarious 3/3. Despite a strong start from South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen, the chase collapsed, aided by Rosemary Mair's maiden five-wicket haul. The win places New Zealand at the top of the ICC Women's Championship points table.

Key Points: NZ Women Beat SA, Clinch ODI Series 2-1

  • Maddy Green scores unbeaten 141
  • Record 211-run partnership with Brooke Halliday
  • Rosemary Mair takes maiden 5-wicket haul
  • NZ tops ICC Women's Championship table
  • SA chase falters after strong start
2 min read

New Zealand beat South Africa by 66 runs, clinch ODI series 2-1

New Zealand women's cricket team defeats South Africa by 66 runs in the 3rd ODI, winning the series 2-1 and topping the ICC Women's Championship.

"Their 211-run stand is the highest fourth-wicket stand for New Zealand in Women's ODIs - ICC Report"

Wellington, April 4

New Zealand clinched a series win after defeating South Africa in the third and final ODI, which also gave it crucial ICC Women's Championship 2025-2029 points.

After securing a 66-run victory in Wellington, the White Ferns now sit atop the ICC Women's Championship points table with 10 points from their six matches, whereas South Africa are in third place with six points to their name, according to the ICC website.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. And soon enough, Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune had the Kiwis on the mat, with the hosts at 3/3 within a space of 19 balls. This included the wicket of skipper Melie Kerr, the protagonist of White Ferns' record win from the last ODI, who fell for a golden duck.

Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday then combined to rebuild the innings and boost New Zealand past 200 before the 40th over mark. Their 211-run stand is the highest fourth-wicket stand for New Zealand in Women's ODIs, overtaking the 172-run partnership between Amy Satterthwaite and Melie.

Halliday fell agonisingly short of her hundred, being dismissed two short by Nadine de Klerk. But Maddy Green continued going for her shots, eventually returning to the pavilion undismissed at 141 off 128 balls with 15 fours to her name. This was her highest-individual score in ODIs.

The Proteas chase was right on mark with skipper Laura Wolvaardt (69) and Annerie Dercksen (47) giving them a fabulous start. But the fall of Wolvaardt to Kayley Knight and Dercksen to Rosemary Mair in the middle overs rattled the tourist innings.

The chase was never able to recover, even as Mair finished with a career-best haul of 5/50. This was also her maiden five-for in the format.

With this win, New Zealand took the ODI series 2-1. They had also secured a 4-1 T20I series win against the Proteas earlier last month.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great win for NZ! But honestly, South Africa's batting collapse is a bit worrying for the women's game. They had such a strong start with Wolvaardt and Dercksen. Need more consistency from the top teams to make the championship more competitive.
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Aman W
Rosemary Mair with a maiden five-for! đź‘Ź That's the game-changer right there. Breaking that big partnership was crucial. The depth in New Zealand's bowling attack is impressive. They are looking like strong contenders for the next World Cup.
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Sarah B
Heartbreak for Brooke Halliday getting out on 98! So close to a century. But what an incredible partnership with Green—211 runs! That's the kind of record-breaking stand that wins you series. Fantastic entertainment.
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Vikram M
Good to see women's cricket getting this coverage. The ICC Championship points make every match so important. New Zealand topping the table is well-deserved. Hope BCCI promotes our women's team with more bilateral series like this.
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Kavya N
South Africa's decision to field first backfired big time. After that dream start with 3 quick wickets, they let the game slip. The middle overs bowling lacked penetration. A respectful criticism: their field placements could have been more aggressive when Green and Halliday were rebuilding.

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