JOIN USSophie Devine celebrated her return to the limited-overs format with a quickfire century as last edition’s runner-up New Zealand crushed South Africa by 150 runs in their opening Group ‘B’ match of the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Friday.
Devine, making her return after a gap of two-and-a-half years, struck an aggressive 131-ball 145 to help New Zealand post 320 for five after being sent into bat at the DRIEMS Ground, Tangi. This is her maiden century in one-dayers.
Defending the total, left-arm pacer Siam Ruck (4/31), spinner Morna Nielsen (3/34) and Lea Tahuhu (2/27) starred with the ball to help the Black Caps bundle out the Proteas for 170 runs with nine overs to spare.
Devine, who missed last month’s Rose Bowl series against Australia with injury, decorated her innings with 13 fours and six sixes to surpass her previous best score of 74 against the Aussies.
South Africa’s run chase never really got off as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
NEW ZEALAND: Lucy Doolan b Kapp 2, Suzie Bates c Cordes P Potgieter 73, Amy Satterthwaite (run out) 4, Sophie Devine c Van Neike b Ismail 145, Sara McGlashan b Tyron 32, Nicola Browne (not out) 40. Extras 40 (LB-4, W-21). Total (for 5 wkts, 50 overs) 321.
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-27, 3-155, 4-219, 5-321.
Bowling: Marizanne Kaap 8-1-39-1, Susan Benade 10-0-71-0, Shabnim Ismail 10-0-40-1, Chloe Tryon 5-0-33-1, Dane van Niekerk 2-0-16-0, Marcia Letsoalo 8-0-68-0, Sunette Loubser 3-0-23-0, Yolandi Potgieter 4-0-27-1.
SOUTH AFRICA: Yolandi Potgieter lbw Ruck 8, Savanna Cordes lbw Tahuhu 0, Mignon du Preez lbw Nielsen 29, Marizanne Kaap c MacKay b Bates 10, Cri-zelda Brits b Nielsen 23, Dane van Nielkerk c MacKay Tahuhu 1, Susan Benade b Ruck 37, Chloe Tryon st Perkins b Nielsen 4, Shabnim Ismail c McGlashan b Ruck 31, Sunette Loubser (not out) 9, Marcia Letsoalo c sub b Ruck 6. Extras (B-1, LB-1, W-9, NB-1) 9. Total (all out in 41 overs) 170.
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-26, 3-43, 4-67, 5-74, 6-76, 7-82, 8-153, 9-155.
Bowling: Lea Tahuhu 9-2-27-2, Sian Ruck 10-1-31-4, Suzie Bates 5-1-33-1, Nicola Browne 8-0-27-0, Morna Nielsen 7-0-34-3, Lucy Doolan 2-0-16-0.