New Zealand Women outclassed South Africa Women by 66 runs in the third ODI of the three match series at Wellington. After being invited to bat first, South Africa Women gave New Zealand three early blows. At one stage, New Zealand Women were struggling at 3/3 in the fourth over.

After that, Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday added 211 runs for the fourth wicket. Their partnership helped New Zealand Women post 306/7 on the scoreboard in 50 overs. Maddy Green played a superb knock of 141 runs off 128 balls and remained unbeaten till the end, while Brooke Halliday missed her century by just 2 runs. Ayanda Hlubi (2/47 in 10 overs) was the most successful bowler for South Africa Women, while Tumi Sekhukhune also picked up two wickets.

While chasing, South Africa Women started well. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits added 68 runs for the first wicket. After Tazmin got out in the 13th over, Laura added another 77 runs for the second wicket with Annerie Dercksen. Things were going well for South Africa until the 27th over. After that, Rosemary Mair (5/50 in 9.1 overs) proved to be a nightmare for South Africa Women. She dismantled the batting line-up along with Amelia Kerr (2/37 in 9 overs).

In the end, South Africa Women were bowled out in 46.1 overs and lost the match by 66 runs. With this win, New Zealand Women secured the ODI series 2-1.

Green and Halliday Power New Zealand to Series Win

Maddy Green played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 141 from No. 4. Brooke Halliday supported her with 98 from No. 5.  No other New Zealand batter crossed 20, with Izzy Sharp scoring just 16. Despite that, Green and Halliday built a match-winning partnership.

Crucial Partnership Rescues New Zealand

New Zealand were in deep trouble early. They slipped to 3 for 3 in the fourth over after losing Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr cheaply. Green and Halliday then took control. They added 211 runs for the fourth wicket and batted together until the 40th over.

Green scored 95 runs during the stand, while Halliday made 98 off 124 balls before getting out.

Late Surge Takes Total Past 300

After the partnership ended, New Zealand added 92 more runs in the final 10.2 overs. Green completed her third ODI century and stayed unbeaten on 141. Sharp scored 16, while Nensi Patel added 12 not out.

New Zealand finished with a strong total of 306, setting South Africa a target of 307.

South Africa Start Well but Lose Momentum

South Africa began their chase confidently. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits added 68 runs for the first wicket. Later, Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen took the score close to 150.

However, both batters got out, leaving South Africa at 148 for 3 after 27.1 overs. The required run rate was still manageable, but they needed a big partnership.

Mair Leads Bowling Effort

That partnership never came. Chloe Tryon tried to push the chase with 29 off 26 balls, but she lacked support. Rosemary Mair turned the game with the ball. She removed key batters at regular intervals.

Mair dismissed Brits first, then Dercksen, and later took the wickets of Anneke Bosch, Tryon, and Ayanda Hlubi. She finished with impressive figures of 5 for 50. At last, South Africa fell short by 66 runs.