New Zealand Women He produced a memorable innings at the Basin Reserve in Wellington to claim a convincing 66-run victory. South African Women in the third and final ODI. What made this victory truly special was not just the margin, but the dramatic course of the match – starting with early disaster and ending with complete dominance.
Maddy Green’s century defines New Zealand’s innings
It got off to a scary start after the hosts were asked to bat first. They were in deep trouble on 3-on-3 just a few times. Experienced names such as Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer and captain Amelia Kerr were dismissed cheaply and rocked the team. South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, made brilliant use of the early conditions, swinging the ball and maintaining tight lines.
At that point, New Zealand might even struggle to post a competitive total. But cricket often rewards patience and partnership – and subsequently just that. Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday came together and completely changed the story of the game.
The duo showed excellent composure under pressure. Instead of panicking, they focused on rebuilding the shot brick by brick. As the excesses passed, their confidence grew. Green in particular had a superb innings, finishing unbeaten on 141 off 128 balls. His batting was the perfect blend of control and aggression, finding boundaries with ease while keeping the scoreboard moving.
Amazing 141 discounts on only 128 balls* from Maddy Green 🥇#NZvSA #MaddyGreen #White Ferns pic.twitter.com/zz8QWOoou1
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) April 4, 2026
Halliday, on the other hand, played an ideal partner, contributing a steady 98. He effectively transformed the strike and punished the loose deliveries, ensuring the pressure returned to South Africa. Together, they put up a massive 211-run partnership for the fourth wicket and turned a dire situation into a position of strength.
By the time Halliday was dismissed, New Zealand had regained full control. The lower order was peppered with useful runs, including a quick cameo from Nancy Patel, helping the team post a strong total of 306 for 7. Considering their early collapse, it was a remarkable recovery and a testament to their resilience.
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South Africa’s chase falls short despite moments of brilliance
Chasing the target of 307 was always going to require a solid start and South Africa Women showed promise early on. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a smooth 69, playing elegant shots and anchoring the innings. He looked in control and gave his team hope to pull off a tough chase.
He was supported by Annerie Derksen who added a valuable 47. The pair kept South Africa in the game during the middle innings, setting a platform that hinted at a potential upset. However, just as things settled down, New Zealand pulled back.
The turning point came with the introduction of Rosemary Mair, who introduced the brilliant magic of bowling. He scored five crucial wickets, breaking partnerships and halting South Africa’s progress at key points. His ability to bat under pressure was crucial in swinging the match in New Zealand’s favour.
As the gates began to fall, the required escape velocity began to rise rapidly. The middle and lower order struggled to maintain their pace, scoring a quick 29 with short resistance from the likes of Chloe Tryon. Despite his efforts, pursuit gradually became unattainable.
Amelia Kerr contributed with two wickets and with others supporting effectively, the New Zealand bowlers maintained discipline throughout. Their consistent pressure ensured that South Africa could never fully recover after losing key wickets.
Finally, South Africa were bowled out for 240 in 46.1 oversFalling to 66 is not the goal. While there were moments of promise, a lack of consistent partnership and an inability to handle pressure proved costly.
New Zealand cruised to a dominant 66-run win over South Africa in the 3rd ODI âš¡#cricket #NZvSA #ODI pic.twitter.com/8Uq4jFTQCG
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) April 4, 2026
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
