Tryon's fireworks too good for New Zealand; South Africa stay alive in the series

Chloe Tyron hit a six each in the last two overs en route to her unbeaten 34 off just 16 balls to cap in a nail-biting five-wicket victory for South Africa against New Zealand in the third T20I at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Sunday (February 9). Besides Tyron, skipper Dane van Niekerk (42) top-scored for the winners.

Chasing 154, it all came down to last over where South Africa needed 11 runs for the victory. Sophie Devine, who had a brilliant day both with the bat and ball, yielded three runs from the first two balls before Tryon turned things around with a massive six on the fourth ball to bring down the equation to two runs from three balls. Sune Luus (five not out) sealed the deal for the visitors with a single and a ball to spare. By virtue of the victory, South Africa are now alive in the series with two matches to go.

Earlier in the day, it was Devine whose 77 off 57 balls propelled New Zealand to a competitive five for 153. Later with the ball too, she picked up two for 38, but that was not enough for New Zealand. Batting first, New Zealand were off to a good start with Rachel Priest and Devine adding 35 runs for the first wicket in the power play. After the dismissal of Priest for 14, Suzie Bates joined Devine and duo steadily rebuilt the innings without taking any risks. The first sign of real intent was shown by Devine when she hit a six off Luus in the eighth over. That also brought New Zealand's 50 in the eighth over. From then on there was no stopping her.

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The big-hitting allrounder brought up her third consecutive fifty of the series in just 36 balls. Devine also brought the 50-run stand with Bates in the 12th over before the latter departed for 23. Thereafter, Devine took on South Africa's bowlers and was looking set to take the hosts to 170, before she was dismissed by Luus (2/27). The New Zealand skipper hit four sixes and seven fours. The visitors applied brakes after Devine's wicket and conceded only 22 runs in the last three overs to restrict the opposition below the 160-run mark. Apart from Luus, Ayabonga Khaka picked up two wickets conceding just 14 runs.

In reply, the visitors got off to a disastrous start losing in-form Laura Wolvaardt for just one. Marizanne Kapp, who returned to the side after missing the first two games, was promoted up the order and immediately got going taking on Lea Tahuhu for 11 runs in the third over before being dismissed for a 15-ball 20. South Africa finished the power play at 46 for the loss of two wickets.

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After dismissing Wolvaardt, Devine struck yet another time when she removed Lizelle Lee for run-a-ball 18 with just 56 runs on board. Thereafter, van Niekerk and Mignon du Preez (23) resurrected the innings with the 46-run fourth-wicket partnership before the latter was back to the pavilion with the Proteas still requiring another 54 runs in the last six overs. With van Niekerk out with the team reeling at five for 133, it was Tryon who took over and played a blinder of an innings to take Proteas over the line.

Brief  Scores: New Zealand 153/5 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 77, Suzie Bates 23; Ayabonga Khaka 2/14, Sune Luus 2/27) lost to South Africa 154/5 in 19.5 overs (Dane van Niekerk 42, Chloe Tryon 34*;  Holly Huddleston 2/33, Sophie Devine 2/38) by five wickets.