ICC Women T20 World Cup: South Africa in semi-final race after defeating New Zealand
Paarl. Chloe Tryon’s all-round performance helped hosts South Africa keep alive their semi-final hopes with a comprehensive 65-run win over New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Tryon hit a brilliant 34-ball 40 as South Africa overcame early jitters to post a competitive 132 for six. He then took two wickets for 12 runs in three overs. Tryon was ably supported in the bowling by Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-0-10-3). In front of the spin of these left-arm spin bowlers, the New Zealand team was dismissed for 67 runs.
The win improved South Africa’s net run rate (1.550). The team finished third in the Group A table behind Sri Lanka and Australia. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals. New Zealand are at the bottom of the table after suffering two consecutive defeats and their chances of making it to the last-four are now over. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but New Zealand had the advantage of opening the bowling with off-spinner Eden Carson (2/23). He got Tajmin Brits lbw for one run in the first over itself. Lia Tahuhu ended Marizan Kapp’s nine-run inning. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus hit some good shots in the powerplay to leave South Africa at 44 for two in six overs.
Captain Luce was run out after scoring 22 runs in 17 balls. Wolvaardt (13) became Tahuhu’s second victim. Carson removed Delmy Tucker as South Africa were halfway back in 12.3 overs. Tryon then took the lead and with the lower order batsmen taking the team to a respectable total. South Africa’s star spinner Mlaba started with the new ball and got both New Zealand openers out for a duck. Marijan then took another wicket, which made the team’s score 13 runs for three wickets. Captain Sophie Devine (16) came at number five instead of opening the innings but the team did not benefit from it. New Zealand continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and the entire team was dismissed in 18.1 overs.
