AUCKLAND: Marizanne Kapp led a relentless bowling performance to restrict New Zealand to 115 in Auckland before South Africa made light work of the chase in their ICC Women’s Championship ODI.
The visitors needed just 23.5 overs to chase down the target at Eden Park, Auckland, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series with an eight-wicket win.
Laura Wolvaardt, who made a fine fifty in the previous game, was unable to get off the mark and was dismissed for a 12-ball duck by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
But Lizelle Lee quickly diffused any hopes of New Zealand mounting an unlikely defence by taking the attack to them. Her 43-ball knock was laced with five fours and a six as she scored 38 to follow her 99 from the previous game.
After she was dismissed by debutant Jess Kerr, Mignon du Preez continued the attack even as Sune Luus played a more steady hand at the other end. Du Preez finished with 35 not out off 27 balls, featuring eight hits to the fence. Luus remained unbeaten on 37 off 62, striking the winning boundary to take South Africa to 117-2.
Earlier, Kapp made a quick impact with the new ball, dismissing both openers within the first five overs. Maddy Green was trapped in front for 2 while Bernadine Bezuidenhout was castled for 6.
Suzie Bates and Devine put up a promising 22-run stand, but before that could materialise into anything substantial, Devine was run out for 9 and Katie Perkins was dismissed in the same manner in the next over without facing a ball.
Bates and Katey Martin then rebuilt, adding 47 for the fifth wicket. At 86-4, New Zealand would have hoped to set up a somewhat challenging total, but a spree of three wickets in the next nine balls set them back. Dane van Niekerk opened the gates by getting rid of Martin and Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Bates (38) and Amelia Kerr (0) in the same over.
Hayley Jensen put up a last-gasp fight, before, fittingly, Kapp wrapped things up, removing Leigh Kasperek and Jess Kerr to finish with 4-29.
The third ODI will be played in Hamilton on Thursday. New Zealand will play for more than a consolation win as there will be two ICC Women’s Championship points at stake.
With just seven wins from 17 games, they’re sitting sixth on the eight-team table. South Africa have strengthened their position in the top four with the latest victory.