The Proteas women put on an economical bowling display to help reduce New Zealand to 208-8 in their 50 overs.
After losing the toss and bowling first as they aim to avoid a series defeat, the Proteas women got their innings of to the perfect start at Boland Park with Ayabonga Khaka getting an early breakthrough removing Rachel Priest for a golden duck. New Zealand struggled to get going only putting on six runs before Khaka struck again at the end of the third over for her second wicket.
Marizanne Kapp did well to support her opening partner by bowling three maidens on the trot, while Khaka continued to terrorise the opposition batsman from the other end. Kapp joined in the on the celebrations by following up her great start with a wicket-maiden over by removing the NZ captain Suzie Bates, the visitors struggling to 14-3 after the first 10 overs.
The introduction of the in-form Amy Satterthwaite helped steady the ship for the White Ferns, as she and Dodd put on a 50-run partnership in 77 balls.
Suné Luus and Dane van Niekerk were brought on with the intention of slowing things down with some spin, but Sattherwaite and Dodd saw this as an opportunity to free up their arms. SA finally got their much-needed breakthrough when the dangerous Satterthwaite (42) was run out in the most unlucky manner, as Dodd hit one straight down the ground and Luus got a finger to it as it crashed into the wickets.
Dodd continued her great form, which helped her surpass her previous best score of 22, to reach a well-deserved half-century which included six fours, before being removed by van Niekerk on 52.
Katie Perkins and Sam Curtis battled on by putting on a sixth-wicket partnership of 39 runs to help NZ past the 150 mark, before Luus got her first wicket, dismissing Perkins on 34. SA started to take control of the match after Van Niekerk (2-34) completed her brace by dismissing Erin Bermingham (1) at the end of the 44th over.
A second run-out, off the bowling of Masabata Klaas, saw the fall of New Zealand’s eighth wicket as they were on 165 runs with just five overs remaining.
Curtis continued to bat well as she kept the scoreboard ticking, equaling her high score of 42 as New Zealand posted 208-8 in their 50 overs.
The Proteas Women must be commemorated for keeping themselves motivated and pumped up despite the empty stadium surrounding them at Boland Park. The sounds of their own screams and blaring musing was the only source of ambience as they look to make the series 3-2.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
