Batting first, South Africa piled on an imposing 346/6 in their allotted 50 overs. This is a total that would win most matches and put them firmly in control of the contest in this ICC Women’s Championship encounter.

There were strong contributions throughout the innings. Returning batter Anneke Bosch marked her comeback in style with a classy 91 off 90 balls, showing composure and intent at the crease. 

Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the effort with a fluent 69 off 74, while all-rounder Chloe Tryon provided fireworks at the death with an explosive unbeaten 52 from just 25 deliveries, clearing the ropes three times. Suné Luus also chipped in with a valuable 40.

Anneke Bosch. Photo: Cricinfo

For New Zealand, left-arm seamer Bree Illing was the standout with 3/60, while Hayley Knight offered solid support with 2/65.

In reply, however, the match turned into a run-fest for the ages. White Ferns skipper Amelia Kerr produced a remarkable, match-winning innings, carrying her bat for an unbeaten 179 off 139 balls – a knock filled with authority, including 23 fours and a six.

She found a crucial ally in wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze, whose blistering 68 off 48 balls shifted the momentum and kept the hosts in the hunt. The pair’s partnership proved decisive, guiding New Zealand to the brink before the winning runs were struck with just two balls remaining in a nail-biting finish.

Ayabonga Khaka led the Proteas’ bowling effort with 3/51, while Masabata Klaas and Kayla Reyneke claimed two wickets apiece, but it wasn’t enough to halt Kerr’s charge.

Wolvaardt admitted the defeat was a tough one to swallow, especially after such a commanding performance with the bat. “It’s obviously a tough one to take. I thought we put ourselves in a really strong position with the bat – 346 is a big score in any conditions.

Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: Cricinfo

“Anneke coming back and playing the way she did was fantastic to see, and Chloe gave us great momentum at the back end.

“Credit to New Zealand, though. Amelia Kerr played an outstanding innings and really took the game away from us. We felt we had our chances with the ball, but they kept finding a way, especially with that partnership towards the end," Wolvaardt said.

“There are still plenty of positives for us to take out of this performance, but it’s disappointing not to have closed it out. We’ll regroup and look to bounce back in the next game of the series.”

The series is now finely poised heading into Saturday’s decider, also in Wellington, with play at the Basin Reserve scheduled to get underway at midnight (SA time).

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm