Green, Halliday, Mair help NZ seal ODI series

New Zealand sealed the ODI series against South Africa with a commanding 66-run win in the third ODI at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday (April 4).

A century from Maddy Green helped New Zealand recover from a shaky start after they were reduced to 3 for 3. The slide was triggered by Tumi Sekhukhune, who removed both Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, while Ayanda Hlubi removed Georgia Plimmer.

South Africa were unable to capitalise on the early inroads though as New Zealand recovered through a massive 211-run partnership between Green and Brooke Halliday. While Green remained unbeaten on 141, Halliday fell just two short of her century as New Zealand posted 306/7.

In reply, South Africa started well with openers stitching a 68-run stand. That was followed by another 77-run alliance between captain Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen that kept the Proteas in control. Wolvaardt's dismissal in the 26th over, however, triggered a collapse as South Africa slipped from 145/1 to 154/4.

Despite efforts to rebuild, the chase kept getting derailed with wickets falling at regular intervals. Rosemary Mair starred with the ball, picking up 5-50, as South Africa were bowled out for 240.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 306/7 in 50 overs (Maddy Green 141*, Brooke Halliday 98; Ayanda Hlubi 2-47, Tumi Sekhukhune 2-57) beat South Africa 240 all-out in 46.1 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 69, Annerie Dercksen 47; Rosemary Mair 5-50, Amelia Kerr 2-37) by 66 runs.