New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women, 3rd T20I, Wellington: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

New Zealand Women recorded their second victory and went 2-0 up in the 5-match T20I series against South Africa Women. After being beaten in the ODI series 0-3 it was a good comeback from the Kiwis and they would like to keep the momentum going. The third match of the ongoing T20I series will be played on February 9, 2020.

Like the first T20I, the second one was also a Sophie Devine show who got good support from Lea Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair. Sent in to bat South African Women could score only 119 before being bowled out in the 20^th over. Mignon du Preez top-scored with 40 as captain Dane van Niekerk (25) and Laura Wolvaardt (22) were the only players to reach double digits. Tahuhu bowled brilliantly and finished with 4/10 whereas Mair’s analysis was 2/26.

New Zealand women were in early trouble in their chase of 120 as Rachel Priest and Suzie Bates were dismissed early but Devine continued her great form from the first match and blasted her way to 43-ball 61 with three fours and five sixes. Although there were some late wickets Devine ensured that the chase was never in doubt. She was dismissed with eight more runs to go as Katey Martin and Hayley Jensen finished the chase in the 19^th over.

The teams will move to windy Wellington to play the next couple of T20 Internationals. The fast bowlers from both sides are expected to get support. For South Africa, Ayabonga Khakha who took two wickets for 24 runs during New Zealand innings would like to have another good outing. With a few days left for the T20I World Cup, South Africa need a strong comeback whereas New Zealand cannot afford to lose the track at this point. New Zealand are favourites but South Africa have enough skill to stop the winning run.

Head to head

New Zealand are way ahead with 8 wins to their name whereas South Africa have only one.

Key Players:

Sophie Devine (New Zealand): New Zealand captain Sophie Devine is in dream form in last couple of matches. She followed her unbeaten 54 in the first T20I with 63 in the second. New Zealand Women team management would like their captain to maintain this form and keep delivering.

Dane van Niekerk (South Africa): For South Africa also, their captain can provide all-round brilliance. Dane van Niekerk missed the first T20I due to injury but provided a neat all-round performance in the second match and team would look for even more significant contributions from her to return in winning way.

Likely XIs

New Zealand–  Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Rachel Priest (wk), Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Jensen, Rosemary Mair

South Africa– Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus, Mignon du Preez, Laura Wolvaardt, Nadine de Klerk, Dane van Niekerk (c), Trisha Chetty (wk), Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka

Prediction

New Zealand to win.