New Zealand sealed the ODI series with a 66-run victory over South Africa in the decider, driven by a match-winning century from Maddy Green and a five-wicket haul from Rosemary Mair.
New Zealand posted 306 for 7 before bowling South Africa out for 240 to clinch the series after recovering from an opening-match defeat.
Green, Halliday Rescue After Early Collapse
New Zealand found themselves in early trouble at 3 for 3 in the fourth over after the dismissals of Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr to Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayanda Hlubi.
Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday then combined for a crucial 211-run stand for the fourth wicket, stabilising the innings and setting the platform for a competitive total.
Green remained unbeaten on 141, while Halliday contributed 98 off 124 balls before becoming the fourth wicket to fall. In their partnership, Green scored 95 runs while Halliday anchored the innings from the other end.
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Following Halliday’s dismissal, New Zealand added 92 more runs in the final 10.2 overs. Izzy Sharp chipped in with 16, while Nensi Patel finished unbeaten on 12 from six balls, pushing the total to 306.
South Africa Start Strong but Fall Away
Chasing 307, South Africa began well with a 68-run opening partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. Wolvaardt then added further runs with Annerie Dercksen to take the total close to 150.
At 148 for 3 after 27.1 overs, the chase remained on track in terms of required rate, but the innings lacked a defining partnership from that point onward.
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Wolvaardt top-scored with 69, while Dercksen made 47. Chloe Tryon added 29 off 26 balls, but the middle and lower order were unable to build sustained momentum.
Mair’s Five-For Seals Victory
Rosemary Mair played a decisive role with the ball, finishing with figures of 5 for 50. She removed Tazmin Brits early and continued to strike at key moments, dismissing Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, and Ayanda Hlubi.
Her spell ensured South Africa were bowled out for 240, falling 66 runs short of the target.
Comeback Series Win for New Zealand
The result secured a comeback series victory for New Zealand, who had lost the opening ODI by two wickets off the final ball. They levelled the series through Amelia Kerr’s unbeaten 179 off 139 balls in the second match before sealing the decider.
Green, who had also scored 85 in the first ODI, played a central role across the series, while Mair’s five-wicket haul ensured New Zealand finished on top.
