South Africa secured a commanding six-wicket victory against reigning T20I champions New Zealand in the Women’s ODI World Cup at Indore on Monday. Tazmin Brits’ spectacular century, her fourth in five matches, and Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four-wicket haul led South Africa to successfully chase down New Zealand’s total of 231 runs in 40.5 overs.The South African team displayed a complete turnaround from their previous match against England, where they were dismissed for just 69 runs. Their bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm spinner Mlaba who claimed 4/40, restricted New Zealand to 231 runs in 47.5 overs.Mlaba proved to be the game-changer, causing a middle-order collapse by taking crucial wickets of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday. She also contributed with a run-out, ensuring the White Ferns couldn’t reach 250.Brits dominated the chase with an impressive 101 runs off 89 balls, including 15 fours and one six. This marked her seventh ODI century and first in a World Cup tournament.Sune Luus provided solid support with an unbeaten 81 runs from 114 balls, featuring nine fours and a six. The partnership helped South Africa complete the chase with 55 balls remaining.This victory has significantly improved South Africa’s position in the tournament standings. They moved from the bottom to fifth place, improving their Net Run Rate from -3.773 to -1.424.New Zealand, the 2000 World Cup champions, now find themselves at the bottom of the standings following their second loss in the tournament. Their next match is against Bangladesh in Guwahati on October 10.Brits and Luus established a record partnership of 159 runs for the third wicket, marking South Africa’s highest partnership in Women’s World Cup history. The stand came off 170 balls and proved crucial in their recovery.Brits showcased exceptional form throughout her innings, reaching her fifty in just 44 balls – her fastest in ODI cricket. She celebrated her century with a symbolic bow-and-arrow gesture toward her teammates.The right-handed opener displayed aggressive intent from the start, targeting New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr. She particularly dominated Amelia Kerr, scoring 19 runs in two overs.Luus complemented Brits perfectly, rotating the strike effectively and occasionally displaying aggressive shots, including a six over long-on off Amelia Kerr.In New Zealand’s innings, Sophie Devine, playing her 300th international match, scored a composed 85 runs off 98 balls with nine boundaries. She reached her 17th ODI fifty in 65 balls, providing stability to the innings despite regular fall of wickets.Mlaba’s impactful second spell of 5-0-18-4 proved decisive in restricting New Zealand’s total. She first dismissed Brooke Halliday, who had scored 45 runs off 37 balls with six fours and had built an 86-run partnership with Devine.The match began with a setback for New Zealand as veteran Suzie Bates, appearing in her 350th international match, was dismissed for a golden duck on the first ball.South Africa’s next challenge is against tournament hosts and favorites India in Visakhapatnam on October 9, while New Zealand will look to bounce back in their upcoming match against Bangladesh.
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