New Zealand choose to bowl first against South Africa

Amelia Kerr, the New Zealand Women captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first in their second ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) one-day international (ODI) against South Africa Women at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday.

The Proteas Women come into the contest buoyed by their dramatic two-wicket win over the White Ferns in Christchurch.

Kayla Reyneke made a spectacular debut, scoring an unbeaten 42, which she capped with a six off the final ball of the match to see the visitors over the line.

The 20-year-old’s innings capitalised on the foundation laid by Sune Luus (53) and Annerie Dercksen (72) worth 123 runs, who steadied the innings after an early wobble.

Earlier in the match, Ayabonga Khaka had ensured that the hosts did not tally an insurmountable total with some brilliant bowling. She claimed a career best 5-56 in 10 overs to restrict New Zealand to 268.

The Proteas Women will be looking to secure a series win and collect valuable ICC Women’s Championship points.

This series is part of their qualification campaign for the 2029 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. The visitors are fully aware of every point on offer.

“Very valuable. I think any point at this point in time is very crucial. You don’t want to be going to qualifiers, and you don’t want to leave it up to chance as well, relying on other teams. Every game is very crucial for us, and this game will be no different,” Sune Luus shared ahead of the fixture.

NEW ZEALAND: Suzannah Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (capt), Madeline Green, Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze (wk), Isobel Sharp, Jessica Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Kayley Knight, Breearne Illing.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba.