Sophie Devine also impressed as the White Ferns inflicted a 66-run thumping on the Proteas in the first game of the T20I series.
Having broken the world record for the highest ODI total just 12 days ago, New Zealand Women added the world record for the highest women’s T20I score to their growing collection of impressive achievements as they racked up 216/1 against South Africa, a total which allowed them to complete a comprehensive victory.
Just as she was when the White Ferns made 490/4 and she top-scored with 151, captain Suzie Bates was the star, top-scoring with an unbeaten 124, the first T20I century by a New Zealand woman, and the second highest score in all women’s T20Is. Her partnership of 182 for the first wicket with Sophie Devine, who made 73, was the highest for any wicket in all T20I cricket.
Just 12 days after hitting the highest ever ODI score, @WHITE_FERNS have now made the highest score in Women’s T20Is! ? #SAvNZ #howzstat pic.twitter.com/gV8UqKnmvy
— ICC (@ICC) June 20, 2018
No Proteas bowler was spared their assault, as two of the most powerful hitters in the game strutted their stuff. Opening bowler Marizanne Kapp was the only one who could be somewhat satisfied with her work, having conceded just eight an over and taken the one wicket to fall. Captain Dane van Niekerk was the only other bowler who conceded less than 10 an over, but still leaked 39 from her quota.
If the Proteas were to get close, they were likely to require a big contribution from the big-hitting, in-form Lizelle Lee. She was defeated by a bit of extra pace from Devine, showing admirable fitness after her big innings, and after Hayley Jensen struck twice in the sixth over South Africa were 40/4 and the game was gone.
Skipper van Niekerk and former skipper Mignon du Preez restored some level of respectability to the performance with a partnership of 79 for the fifth wicket. The former was particularly impressive, striking 58 in just 44 balls, picking her spot carefully before smashing the ball where she wanted.
Still, if she was pleased with her own performance, she didn’t show it, as evidenced by the stern expression on her face as she walked off and the strong words she had for her team in the post-match huddle and interview. South Africa need to regroup, and quickly. They take on England at the same venue later today.
