New Zealand Women delivered a clinical performance in Wellington, sealing a six-wicket win over South Africa Women in the fourth T20I and clinching the five-match series in dominant fashion. The match belonged to Jess Kerr, whose outstanding spell with the ball set the tone for the hosts and earned her the Player of the Match award.
Jess Kerr shines with ball for New Zealand
After being put in to bat, South Africa managed 159/6 – a competitive total on paper, but one that always felt slightly under par given the conditions. A big reason for that was Kerr’s exceptional control with the ball. She returned figures of 3/16 in her four overs, consistently breaking partnerships and never allowing the visitors to build real momentum.
Kerr made an early impact by trapping Chloe Tryon lbw, before striking again to remove captain Laura Wolvaardt. She later dismissed Tazmin Brits, a key wicket that halted South Africa’s progress during a crucial phase. Her disciplined line and length forced errors, keeping the scoring rate in check throughout the innings.
She was well supported by Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine, who chipped in with timely wickets. The New Zealand bowling unit worked as a cohesive group, applying pressure from both ends and ensuring South Africa never got away.
Despite the setbacks, Annerie Dercksen stood tall for the visitors with an unbeaten 55 off 32 balls. Her aggressive approach helped South Africa recover from early losses, with useful contributions from Nadine de Klerk and Kayla Reyneke towards the end. However, the lack of sustained partnerships meant they couldn’t fully capitalize, finishing with a total that always looked slightly vulnerable.
Sophie Devine leads the chase as New Zealand seal the series
Chasing 160, New Zealand approached the target with confidence and composure. While they lost an early wicket in Isabella Gaze, there was never any sense of panic in the camp. Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr steadied the innings, building a solid foundation with a partnership that kept the scoreboard ticking.
Plimmer’s brisk 29 provided early momentum, while Amelia Kerr played a composed knock of 31, ensuring the chase stayed on track. But it was all-rounder Sophie Devine who truly took control of the game.
Devine’s explosive 64 off 34 balls turned the contest decisively in New Zealand’s favour. Mixing power with precision, she attacked the bowlers with authority, finding boundaries at will and putting South Africa under immense pressure. Her innings effectively took the game away from the visitors, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
Even after Devine’s dismissal in the later stages, the job was nearly done. Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green calmly guided the team home, finishing the chase with nine balls to spare and ensuring a comfortable victory.
New Zealand takes 3-1 lead in the 5-match T20I series over South Africa 🏏#NZvSA #cricket #T20I pic.twitter.com/FwUzCxJFIc
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 22, 2026
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
