New Zealand trounce South Africa by 151 runs

CUTTACK: New Zealand crushed South Africa by a huge margin of 151 runs in their Group ‘B’ match of the Women’s World Cup here at the DRIEMS Ground, Tangi on Friday.

After being put into bat by South Africa captain Mignon du Preez, New Zealand piled up a big total of 321-5 in fifty overs.

This strong total was built round the third-wicket stand of 128 between Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, and a 101-run stand off 43 balls for the fifth wicket between Devine and Nicola Browne.

Devine cracked 145 off 131 deliveries with six sixes and 13 boundaries while Bates made 73 with eight fours.

Browne remained not out on 40 from 20 balls and Sara McGlashan hit 32.

South Africa, in reply, lost wickets regularly, and no one scored more than 37 as they capitulated for 170

Seamer Morna Nielsen and Lea Tahuhu destroyed the top order, and South Africa slumped to 82 for 7 in the 21st over. Susan Benade and Shabnim Ismail tried to rescue South Africa, adding 72 runs in quick time, but left-arm seamer Sian Ruck, who finished with four wickets, mopped up the tail.