Proteas dig deep to level series

After no results in the first three matches, Benoni offered a reprieve to the rain-affected five-match T20I series between the Momentum Proteas and White Ferns of New Zealand at Willowmoore Park.

Under clear skies in the fourth match on October 14, captain Laura Wolvaardt (53) and Sune Luus (45) helped South Africa post 173 in their 20 overs. The unbeaten 135-run stand between Amelia Kerr (71 off 46) and the captain Sophie Devine (61 off 37) blasted New Zealand to an eight-wicket win to lead the series 1-0.

The fifth match on October 15 went different as the Proteas dug deep for their win. While there was a threat of rain, with cloud cover throughout the day, the match was unaffected as the hosts, assisted by their noisy fans, won by 11 runs to tie the match 1-1.

On both days though, the fans were the difference. They came through for the Proteas, streaming in through the main gate in Harpur Avenue and the second entrance, opposite the Anti-Aircraft Regiment, in Tom Jones Street dressed in their green and gold.

Met with the huge Eastern Cricket Union signage emblazoned on the fading wall above, fans made their way to the main field through the turnstile, past the admin building to their right and players’ balcony and VIP area to their left.

They hurried past the nets, walked the narrow pathway that led them to the main stand where they could enjoy a close-up view of their heroes.

Fans that came in the second entrance headed straight for the grass bunkers to join other cricket supporters in their green and gold and with flags spread on the ground.

On the second day, the White Ferns won the toss, and as they had done the previous day, Devine sent the Proteas to bat first.

When Wolvaardt and opening partner Tazmin Brits strolled onto the field clutching their bats, a huge roar greeted them. The roars grew louder when Wolvaardt and Brits blasted a 36-run partnership before the skipper was dismissed for a 20-ball 24 in the fifth over by Lea Tahuhu.

Anneke Bosch was next in. She and Brits took on the New Zealand attack, taking South Africa to 75-1 after 10 overs before both batters were dismissed within three overs.

Bosch was bowled by seamer Molly Penfold in the 12th over for 28 from 24 balls, having scored two boundaries in her innings.

Tahuhu grabbed her second wicket of the match after dismissing Brits for a 38-ball 45 in the 15th over, with the right-hander scoring five boundaries and a single maximum.

Sune Luus contributed an unbeaten 36 from 23 balls. Despite the wickets of Naidine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon in between, the former captain took South Africa to a competitive 155-5, leaving the visitors needing 156 to win.

Following Saturday’s bowling woes, South Africa needed early wickets and Masabata Klaas duly complied with a wicket in the third over, getting rid of Kate Anderson for 11.

Things went south for the hosts as Suzie Bates and player of the series Amelia Kerr put on a 97-run second-wicket partnership. Despite this, the scoring was not great. When De Klerk sent Bates back to the shed in the 16th over, the White Ferns found themselves in a hole as they were still left with 39 runs to win.

When Kerr was dismissed for 61 in the 18th over, things got worse as none of the remaining batters, including skipper Devine, reached double figures.

Klaas and De Klerk rallied South Africa to the finish with three scalps each as the Proteas won by 11 runs to tie the five-match series 1-1.

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