NZ W VS SA W MATCH 16

That concludes the proceedings for this thrilling match. On Friday, 18th March 2022, Bangladesh Women, fresh from their historic win, will be taking on West Indies Women, who are on a 2-match losing streak. It promises to be another close game and will begin at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, previous day). You can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Sune Luus, the victorious captain of South Africa Women, says that she was going through a roller-coaster of emotions as they made it harder for themselves but she will take those two points. Mentions that they bowled brilliantly in Powerplay 1 and also praised Sophie Devine's knock. Luus sounds very happy with the way they bowled at the backend but chooses to ignore her own bowling show. On the chase, Sune Luus replies that they regrouped nicely after losing Lizelle Lee and feels that she along with Laura Wolvaardt should have finished the game. Lauds the batting effort of Marizanne Kapp. Further says that their next assignment is against Australia Women who are a very competitive team. Tells that there is not too much pressure on them and they will just look to improve on small things and go head.

Sophie Devine, the captain of New Zealand Women, starts by praising the bowling effort of Amelia Kerr whose two wickets shifted the momentum a bit towards the end. Feels that in such close games if you stay in, anything can happen. Shares that their plan was to keep out South Africa's strike bowlers as Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp can prove to be dangerous. She expresses her disappointment on the way they finished their batting innings. Talks about the importance of a set batter to finish the innings. Feels that they bowled a little too wide on that surface and calls it a learning curve for her team. Mentions that they need to move forward quickly and play well against England Women and she finds it interesting that so many teams are in the race for a top-four finish.

Marizanne Kapp gets the Player of the Match award! She picked up two wickets and played a match-winning knock towards the end. Smiles and says that these tight games should stop, she is tired now. Mentions that they bowled better against England and they got away with it in this match. States that their batters have been struggling and they want to come back stronger. Praises the knocks of Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus but mentions that you cannot afford to relax as things can change quickly and they luckily got over the line. States that she was not at her best with the ball and they need a few more people to stand up.

Presentation time...

Chasing an ordinary target of 229, South Africa Women started decently but the run out of Lizelle Lee allowed the White Ferns to put some pressure. The runs dried out and the knock of Tazmin Brits where she consumed too many dot balls put pressure on Laura Wolvaardt. The pair still combined for a 48-run stand to steady the ship and then Laura went on to stitch an 88-run stand with skipper Sune Luus. The chase appeared done and dusted but then Amelia Kerr led a fightback for New Zealand Women. She picked up a few wickets and the equation got quite close. Marizanne Kapp's presence though kept South Africa Women in the game and she eventually navigated her team home to maintain the winning streak.

New Zealand Women fought with blood and sweat. They would be hurting. This game got close and had they not experienced a batting collapse where they lost their last 6 wickets for only 30 runs, things could have been different this evening. The South African bowling blew hot and cold in the first half but was exceptional at the death and that performance has played a big role in handing them this victory.

Not a convincing one but a win nonetheless for South Africa Women and their juggernaut in this edition of the World Cup continues to roll. This is now their fourth win in a row and they certainly are trying their best to match the aura of invincibility of Australia Women. It was an easy chase for them, well-planned initially, although, towards the end, they felt the pressure of closing the game and lost quite a few wickets. It required the calm and cool head of Marizanne Kapp to see them home. The word 'choke' was about to come out on social media but South Africa Women have avoided that term, at least for now.

Phew, this edition of the World Cup has dished out yet another close match. South Africa Women have crossed the line eventually to get their first win over New Zealand Women in the 50-over World Cup.

It's all over! South Africa Women win and Ayabonga Khaka has done it! The emotions are running high and what a game we have witnessed here! It's pushed quicker on off by Frances Mackay, Ayabonga Khaka goes back and forces it towards the left of the mid off fielder. They run a quick single as the fielder misses her shy at the keeper's end. South Africa Women win by 2 wickets!

Pressure is written all over the face of Ayabonga Khaka.

Scores are level! On middle and fuller. Kapp works it towards deep mid-wicket and strangely takes a single. She has a word with Ayabonga Khaka, backing her to score the winning run. Will this backfire?

FOUR! This will surely seal the deal for South Africa Women! What an innings and what a shot under pressure. This is slower through the air on off. Kapp goes low and slog-sweeps it towards wide long on for a boundary. Just 2 needed now!

Right then, it has come down to the final over. 6 needed off 6. Can Frances Mackay do a Deandra Dottin? Marizanne Kapp is on strike...

So a single to end the over and Kapp will retain the strike! A full ball, on off. Kapp drills it to long off for a single. 6 needed from the last over!

FOUR! What a shot! Marizanne Kapp, you beauty! This is full, on off. Kapp goes inside-out over extra cover for a boundary. Just 7 needed now and Kapp is taking her team home yet again!

In the air...but it falls in the vacant area behind the bowler! Back of a length, around off, Ayabonga Khaka wants to finish this match with one blow. Swings her bat across the line, gets a top edge but it drops safely as the mid on and mid off fielders rush forward. The good thing for South Africa Women is that the batters have crossed and Marizanne Kapp is back on strike.