Devine intervention propels New Zealand to a thumping win after Tahuhu's two-fer

Sophie Devine was the star with the bat yet again, as New Zealand downed South Africa by five wickets in the second T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday (February 6). The win gave New Zealand an unassailable lead of 2-0 in a five-match series. Devine scored 61 runs in the chase to ensure an easy victory for New Zealand. Her knock came off just 43 balls which included five towering sixes. The big-hitting allrounder also picked one wicket with the ball.

Sent into bat, South Africa started poorly as they lost Lizelle Lee for just two. Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk consolidated the innings for South Africa. The duo took their time and ensured there were no further wickets in the power play as South Africa finished at 35 for the loss of one wicket.

Soon after, Devine came into the attack and was rewarded immediately with the wicket of de Klerk for nine runs. Devine was at it again when she ran Wolvaardt out for 22. From a position of strength, South Africa slipped to 39 for the loss of three wickets.

Mignon du Preez then joined Dane van Niekerk and the two experienced batters added 55 together before Lea Tahuhu was brought back. She struck by removing both van Niekerk (25) and Chloe Tryon (zero). South Africa's hopes of a good score rested on du Preez's shoulders, before she was dismissed for 40 by Amelia Kerr.

New Zealand bowlers kept chipping in with wickets and bundled South Africa out for just 119. The visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 25 runs in 38 balls. Tahuhu was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets. She was well supported by Rosemary Mair, who also chipped in with two wickets.

Chasing a modest target, New Zealand got off to a poor start as they lost Rachel Priest for just five. After being watchful for two overs, Devine took on Khaka in the fourth. The hard-hitting allrounder spanked three fours and collected 12 runs off the over. Shabnim Ismail pulled things back in the next over when she dismissed Suzie Bates for seven.

Maddy Green, who walked at number four, ably supported her captain. They strung a 72-run stand for the third wicket before Green fell to van Niekerk. In the interim, Devine brought up her second fifty in succession, smashing a hat-trick of sixes off Tryon.

Although the New Zealand captain couldn't carry her bat to see the side home, the early damage ensured that the hosts won with ten balls to spare.

Brief Scores: South Africa 119/10 in 19.4 overs (Mignon du Preez 40, Dane van Niekerk 25; Lea Tahuhu 2-10, Rosemary Mair 2-26) lost to New Zealand 120/5 in 18.2 overs (Sophie Devine 61, Maddy Green 23; Ayabonga Khaka 2-24, Sune Luus 1-6) by five wickets.