Women’s World Cup: SA edge hosts to stay unbeaten

HAMILTON (AP):

Marizanne Kapp made a nerveless 36 not out from 35 balls as South Africa beat hosts New Zealand by two wickets with three balls remaining Thursday to stay unbeaten after four matches at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

At Hamilton, New Zealand, half-centuries to Laura Wolvaardt and captain Sune Luus put South Africa on the road to victory as they chased down New Zealand’s total of 228 and rejoined Australia atop the points table in the tournament.

But it was the veteran Kapp, who had taken 2-44 during the New Zealand innings, who was left to steer her team home in an increasingly nervous run chase.

“I think these games have to stop now, I’m tired,” the 32-year-old Kapp said. “Again it was a team effort, again we weren’t at our best but I believe the perfect game is just around the corner.

“I’m always nervous, I’m not going to lie. (Wolvaardt and Luus) batted well today but you can’t get too relaxed because, as you saw, the game can change like that. Luckily today we got away with the win and I’m happy to be standing on the winning side.”

South Africa needed 72 to win from 95 balls when Wolvaardt was out for 67 after her third consecutive half-century at the tournament. They needed 59 from 59 balls when Luus was out for 51, with five wickets still intact in the 41st over.

There was an eerie symmetry between the New Zealand and South Africa innings as both captains played leading roles and as the teams scored at almost the same rate and endured late order collapses.

Five wickets for 30 runs

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine made 93 to set the platform for her team’s batting effort. She was out in the 41st over when New Zealand were well set up at 198-5 but saw her team lose their last five wickets for 30 runs.

Luus also was out in the 41st over but in Kapp, South Africa still had a player to manage their run chase.

South Africa needed 39 runs off their last six overs with five wickets in hand, 31 off their last five.

Chloe Tryon made 14 from 17 balls and began to play a useful hand but she was out when South Africa needed 31 from 29 balls.

Kapp hit two consecutive fours from the bowling of Lea Tahuhu in the 47th over which turned the match a little in South Africa’s favour, leaving them with 18 runs to score from 21 balls.

New Zealand’s future in the tournament now is tenuous with only two wins from five games. South Africa are almost assured of a place in the semi-finals.