AUCKLAND: Sophie Devine backed up her economical bowling with an unbeaten half-century of 2/21 as New Zealand won the third T20I against South Africa by six wickets at Eden Park on Friday.
South Africa captain Laura Wohlward’s decision to bat first backfired as the visitors managed to post 149/7 in their 20 overs.
Wohlward top-scored for the Proteas with a cautious 37 off 39 balls, followed by Kayla Reineke’s unbeaten 34 off 20 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours.
Apart from them, Annery Derkson (27) and Chloe Trion (15) can score a double century.
Suzy Bates and Devine combined for two wickets each for New Zealand’s bowling, while Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr claimed a scalp each.
Chasing 150, Devine’s unbeaten half-century saw the home side easily hit the winning run with 4 wickets and 8 balls to spare.
The middle-order batsman scored an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls with six fours and a six and was adjudged man of the match.
Devine put on an unbeaten 84-run partnership with Maddie Green, who scored an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls with two fours and a six.
On the South African side, Nonkululego Malaba, Ayanda Hlubi and Derksen took one wicket each.
The six-wicket win helped New Zealand take a 2-1 lead in the five-match home series against South Africa, with the fourth and fifth matches to be played in Wellington and Christchurch on March 22 and 25 respectively.