White Ferns 114-8 (Sophie Devine 40, Suzie Bates 16, Marizanne Kapp 3-23) lost to South Africa Women 116-5 (Mignon de Preez 51, Dane van Niekerk 23, Sophie Devine 2-26) by five wickets
The White Ferns have been eliminated from the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, after losing to South Africa Women by five wickets at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
It’s their first loss of the tournament and leaves them, South Africa and Australia level on points. Heartbreakingly, they fall to third, with the other two sides’ superior net run-rate seeing them knocked out.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, the White Ferns got off to a reasonable start thanks to a 43-run opening wicket stand between Suzie Bates (16) and Sophie Devine (40). Bates fell in the seventh over, but Sara McGlashan joined Devine to keep adding to their total and at 70 for one a good platform had been set.
Unfortunately for the White Ferns, this is when the wickets would begin to tumble. Seven wickets fell in the space of the next 44 runs, including that of Devine in the 16th over. Rachel Priest made a quick 13, but a partnership wasn’t forthcoming and the White Ferns were held to 114 for eight – their lowest total of the tournament.
Marizanne Kapp was the key bowler for South Africa, finishing with figures of three for 23 from four overs.
A fine effort with the ball was required from the White Ferns, but South Africa proved themselves to be up to the task.
Two key partnerships were the winning ingredient for South Africa. A 34 run stand between Dane van Niekerk (23) and Mignon de Preez (51) gave South Africa the momentum, before de Preez joined with Kapp (23) to take the game away from the White Ferns.
South Africa were within nine runs of victory before de Preez was finally dismissed in the 19th over. Sadly, it only delayed the outcome, with South Africa getting the win two balls into the final over.
It was a disappointing performance from the White Ferns, though they may well fell unlucky to be eliminated having lost just one game.
