In a riveting showdown at Durban, South Africa, the New Zealand Women’s cricket team secured a thrilling victory against their South African counterparts, marking a spectacular end to the ODI series. The match, which witnessed some scintillating performances, kept cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. New Zealand managed to chase down a target of 210, achieving the victory with six wickets to spare under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

The hero of the day was the calm and composed Amelia Kerr, who showcased her batting prowess with an unbeaten century, a remarkable fourth in her One Day International (ODI) career. Kerr’s extraordinary innings not only took her team over the finish line but also established her as a rising star in women’s cricket.

South Africa had their moments, starting with a fiery Marizanne Kapp who had bowled only three overs before leaving the field due to an elevated heart rate. Despite her absence, South Africa looked promising in the initial overs, but a series of dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities proved costly.

The New Zealand bowlers, led by Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, and captain Sophie Devine, capitalized on the fielding errors. South Africa found themselves in a precarious position at 43 for 3 in the 12th over. Sophie Devine’s dismissal of in-form captain Laura Wolvaardt for a hard-fought 24 turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor.

The highlight of South Africa’s innings was Marizanne Kapp’s brilliant performance. She not only salvaged the innings but also maintained a brisk scoring rate, eventually scoring an impressive 72 off 73 balls. Chloe Tryon and Sinola Jafta provided valuable support, stitching together crucial partnerships. However, Kapp’s departure at 188 marked the beginning of the end for South Africa, who were bowled out for 209 in 44.3 overs.

The match was subjected to disruptions due to rain, and New Zealand had to chase a revised target of 210 in 45 overs. Despite losing early wickets, Suzie Bates and the partnership between Kerr and Devine, who put on 64 runs for the second wicket, gave New Zealand hope. However, a double-strike by Nonkululeko Mlaba and Maddy Green’s dismissal brought excitement back into the game.

Brooke Halliday and Amelia Kerr joined forces to stabilize New Zealand’s innings after the fall of quick wickets. Halliday’s resilience and Kerr’s aggressive yet controlled batting style frustrated the South African bowlers. They managed to ensure that the required run rate never crossed six an over. Kerr’s century, accompanied by Halliday’s gritty performance, ensured that New Zealand reached the target with ten balls to spare.

In the end, it was a well-fought contest between two determined teams. While South Africa had already clinched the series with victories in the first two ODIs, New Zealand’s triumph in the third ODI provided a consolation win. The match showcased the exceptional talent and determination of women cricketers, with Amelia Kerr’s century being the standout moment. With this win, New Zealand moved up to the fifth position in the Women’s Championship table, while South Africa remained in the second spot, behind India.