New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women 4th T20I, Wellington: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

A win in the cliffhanger at Basin Reserve kept South Africa Women in the hunt in the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand Women. However, the hosts still lead the series 2-1, and given how the series has unfolded, they should wrap things up in the fourth match, to be played at the same venue.

Everything went New Zealand’s way in the first half of the match. Sophie Devine won the toss, then blasted away for a 57-ball 77 to take her side to 153/5 even as Ayabonga Khaka returned 3-0-14-2. They should have been confident of a win from there: after all, they had restricted South Africa to 116/7 in the first match and bowled them out for 119 in the second.

Dane van Niekerk led the South African charge with a 40-ball 42 as Holly Huddleston (4-0-33-2) and Amelia Kerr (4-0-17-1) tried to curb the scoring. South Africa needed 35 in the last 3 overs when Chloe Tryon (34* in 16) exploded in characteristic fashion to finish the match with a ball in hand.

Despite the setback, there is little doubt that New Zealand have been the better side in the series. They should win the fourth match and seal the series.

Head to head

New Zealand hold an 8-2 lead including 2-1 at home (the teams had never met on New Zealand soil before this series).

Key players

Sophie Devine (New Zealand Women): Devine’s series record (54* in 32, 61 in 43, 77 in 57, 3 wickets in the series) is self-explanatory. Add to that her fielding and ability to marshal her troops, and you will know why she holds key to New Zealand’s success.

Chloe Tryon (South Africa Women): Tryon’s strike rate (140) is the highest in Women’s T20I history; she has outdone herself during her brief stints in this series, striking at 179. Keep an eye out for her.

Likely XIs

New Zealand Women: Rachel Priest (wk), Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Anna Peterson, Lea Tahuhu, Holly Huddleston, Jess Kerr.

South Africa Women: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Dane van Niekerk (c), Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune.

Prediction

New Zealand Women to win and clinch the series.