Sophie Devine Shines as New Zealand Takes 2-1 Lead Against South Africa in 3rd T20I
Synopsis
Sophie Devine's phenomenal performance, featuring a stunning 55 not out and crucial wickets, propelled New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I. With this win, New Zealand now leads the series 2-1, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Key Takeaways
Sophie Devine scored an unbeaten 55 runs and took two wickets.
New Zealand leads the series 2-1 against South Africa .
The match concluded with New Zealand chasing down the target in just 18.4 overs.
South Africa struggled with early wickets, ending their innings at 149/7.
The final partnership of 84 runs for New Zealand was crucial for their win.
Auckland, March 20 (NationPress) In a remarkable display of skill, Sophie Devine scored an unbeaten 55 runs alongside her impressive bowling performance, leading New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Eden Park on Friday, thus securing a 2-1 series advantage in the five-match series with two matches remaining.
Choosing to bat first, the South African women's team managed to post a total of 149/7, with both Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates contributing significantly by taking two wickets each. In reply, Devine’s stellar half-century was instrumental in the successful chase, supported by Amelia Kerr with 30 runs and Maddy Green contributing 34 runs, as the home side reached the target in just 18.4 overs.
The Proteas started poorly, stumbling to 9/2 within three overs, with Rosemary Mair dismissing opener Tazmin Brits in the second over, followed by Jess Kerr taking out Sune Luus in the very next over.
Despite the rocky start, Annerie Dercksen and captain Laura Wolvaardt combined for a vital 51-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilizing their innings. However, the partnership was broken when Sophie Devine took the wicket of Dercksen, who scored 27 runs.
Suzie Bates soon took out Chloe Tryon, and Sophie Devine continued her excellent performance by dismissing Nadine de Klerk, leaving the visitors in a precarious position at 101/5 in 15 overs.
Kayla Reyneke (34 not out off 20) injected some late-game energy, hitting two sixes and a four in the final over to help South Africa reach 149/7.
In their pursuit of 150 runs, New Zealand faced early setbacks, losing openers Georgia Plimmer (4) and Isabella Gaze (17) during the powerplay. However, Devine and Amelia forged a 30-run partnership for the third wicket. Despite the pressure, with New Zealand needing 82 runs off 60 balls and still having six wickets in hand, Devine was at 13 runs off 10 balls.
Ultimately, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green ignited a significant momentum shift with a remarkable unbroken 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket. By the time they hit their fifty, Green had only added 12 runs off 15 balls, while Devine was the primary contributor. New Zealand concluded the chase with six wickets remaining and eight balls to spare.
Point of View
Sophie Devine's exceptional all-round performance highlights her significance in New Zealand cricket. Her ability to perform under pressure not only secures victories but also inspires the team and fans alike. This series promises to be an exhilarating contest as both teams aim for dominance.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the 3rd T20I?
New Zealand won the match by six wickets, successfully chasing down South Africa's total of 149 runs.
Who were the standout players in the 3rd T20I?
Sophie Devine was the star of the match with 55 not out and two wickets, alongside Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green who contributed crucial runs.
What does this win mean for the series?
With this victory, New Zealand takes a 2-1 lead in the five-match series against South Africa, with two matches left to play.
Where was the match held?
The match took place at Eden Park in Auckland.
What were South Africa's batting struggles?
South Africa started poorly, losing early wickets and struggled to build partnerships, ultimately managing a total of 149 runs.
