Wellington, 22 March (H.S.):
New Zealand Women kept their momentum alive in the five‑match T20 series by beating South Africa Women by six wickets in the fourth T20I at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday, 22 March 2026. The win gave the hosts an unassailable 3‑1 lead in the contest, with the final match scheduled for 25 March at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
South Africa, having won the toss and chosen to bat first, posted 159 for 6 in their 20 overs. Annerie Derksen played a match‑defining knock, remaining not out on 55 off 32 balls, including eight fours and one six. Opener Sune Luus added 30 from 29 deliveries with four boundaries, while Nadine de Klerk (20), Chloe Tryon (14), Kayla Reyneke (13) and skipper Laura Wolvaardt (10) chipped in with useful contributions to keep the innings moving.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was led by Jess Kerr, who claimed 3 for 16 in four overs, stifling the flow of runs in the middle overs. Captain Amelia Kerr and all‑rounder Sophie Devine picked up one wicket each, subtly tightening the pressure and keeping the visitors just short of a more competitive total.
Chasing 160, New Zealand Women got off to a shaky start as wicketkeeper‑batter Izzy Gaze fell cheaply for 6. However, Georgia Plimmer (29 off 22 balls, five fours) and captain Amelia Kerr (31 off 29, four fours) steadied the innings with a 70‑plus stand. Once both departed, Devine exploded with a 64‑run counter‑punching knock off 34 balls, laced with four sixes and six fours, lifting the team past the target in 18.3 overs and guiding them to 160 for 4.
Brooke Halliday remained unbeaten on 16 and Maddy Green on 9 at the other end.
For South Africa, Tryon returned 2 for 24 while Derksen and Anika Mollela each scalped one wicket, but the bowlers could not contain Devine’s assault in the closing overs.
The result leaves New Zealand comfortably ahead in the series and sets up a dead‑rubber finale in Christchurch, even as the visitors will aim to salvage some pride in the fifth and last encounter.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
