SA v NZ: Laura Wolvaardt and Amelia Kerr star in ODIs

South Africa won the ODI series against New Zealand 2-1 and collected four more valuable points in the ICC Women's Championship for the 2022-25 cycle. While the hosts won the first two matches, New Zealand came back in the final ODI with a convincing win to bag two points. South Africa are now second in the championship table behind India, who have already qualifed for the 2025 home World Cup.

1st ODI, Pietermaritzburg

In the first ODI, it was Chloe Tryon who helped South Africa came back into the game with the player of the match Nadine de Klerk playing the support act.

Chasing 236 for a win, South Africa were in some strive when they lost skipper Laura Wolvaardt immediately after she completed her fifty. Tryon and de Klerk added 124 runs for the sixth wicket and by the time Tryon fell in the 47th over, the hosts levelled the score and went 1-0 up in the series with a four wicket win.

Tryon made 71 off 58 balls in the aggressive knock while de Klerk remained unbeaten on 58. For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the best bowler on display with two wickets to her with Hannah Rowe also chipping in with a couple of wickets.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand also found themselves in a similar scenario losing five early wickets and were reeling at 55 for 5 when they lost Georgia Plimmer.

From there, Brooke Halliday and Rowe added 117 runs to surrect New Zealand's innings and Jess game them the finishing touches with a seven-ball 19 as she remained unbeaten. Halliday top-scored with 76 off 92 balls while Rowe made her maiden fifty in the format.

For South Africa, Masabata Klaas picked up three wickets while de Klerk finished with figures of 2 for 34. 

Brief Scores: New Zealand 235/8 in 50 overs (Brooke Halliday 76, Hannah Rowe 52; Masabta Klaas 3/60, Nadine de Klerk 2/34) lost to South Africa 236/6 in 47.1 overs (Chloe Tryon 71, Nadine de Klerk 58*; Hannah Rowe 2/26, Jess Kerr 2/47) by 4 wickets POTM: Nadine de Klerk

2nd ODI, Pietermaritzburg

Second ODI also followed a similar script with the chasing side eventually winning the game easily. Wolvaardt led from the with her first century as captain - fourth overall - and remained unbeaten on 124 off 141 balls. She first added 98 runs for the third wicket Sune Luus and then put on unbroken 116 with Marizanne Kapp to take them home.

Luus scored 53 off 57 balls and Kapp made 45 off 49 balls with Lea Tahuhu's two wickets being the only bright spot in New Zealand's bowling. 

In the first innings, it was Amelia Kerr who helped New Zealand cross the 250-run mark. Amelia held the innings together with a patient 88 off 110 balls. She had some support from Maddy Green as they added 92 runs for the third wicket.

However, once Green fell New Zealand lost wickets in quick succession and Rowe's 40 helped them go past 250.

For South Africa, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the best bowler on display with figures of 3 for 41. Allrounder de Klerk also continued her good run and chipped in with three wickets.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 253/10 in 49.5 overs (Amelia Kerr 88, Maddy Green 43; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3/41, Nadine de Klerk 3/44) lost to South Africa 257/3 in 45.2 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 124*, Sune Luus 53; Lea Tahuhu 2/40) by 7 wickets POTM: Laura Wolvaardt

3rd ODI, Durban (Black Day ODI)

Keeping with the script of the series, yet again it was the chasing side that won the game as New Zealand chased down South Africa's total in a rain-reduced game. Amelia was once again the star with the bat for the visitors as she hit her fourth ODI century and the winning run in the penultimate over. 

Earlier New Zealand put South Africa into bat in a rain-delayed start, the home side were rocked by White Ferns from the get go and were struggling at 67 for 4 at one stage. Kapp held the innings together with 72 to her name. 

All the bowlers for on song for New Zealand with Tahuhu and Sophie Devine picking up three wickets each.Amelia chipped in with two wickets.

In the chase, Amelia and Devine were going well even though White Ferns lost Suzie Bates early. They had some wobble once they lost Devine and it was upto Amelia again to steady and keep them on track for the target. And the allrounder found an able partner in Halliday and together they took home to register two ICC Women's Championship (IWC) points.

Brief Scores: South Africa 209/10 in 44.3 overs (Marizanne Kapp 72; Sophie Devine 3/33, Lea Tahuhu 3/41) lost to New Zealand 210/4 in 43.2 overs (Amelia Kerr 100, Brooke Halliday 37; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/41) by 6 wickets POTM: Amelia Kerr; POTS: Laura Wolvaardt