WHITE FERNS storm into WT20 Semi-Finals   28 Mar 2016

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WHITE FERNS storm into WT20 Semi-Finals Posted Sunday, 27 March, 2016

in International Match Reports Group A: New Zealand WHITE FERNS beat South Africa by seven wickets in Bengaluru South Africa 99 all out, 19.3 overs (Marizanne Kapp 22; Sophie Devine 3-16, Leigh Kasperek 3-19) New Zealand 100/3, 14.3 overs (Suzie Bates 29, Rachel Priest 28, Sophie Devine 27 not out)

WHITE FERNS superb WT20 win v South Africa 27 Mar, 2016  The WHITE FERNS completed a perfect scorecard for New Zealand overnight in the Group stages of the ICC Twenty20 by blasting a dangerous but disappointed South Africa out of the tournament

 The WHITE FERNS had been set a target of exactly 100 to win in their final Group A match — which they chased down with ease, against an attack that had pushed Australia earlier in the tournament. Victory in Bengaluru simultaneously ensured that Australia, too, would make it to the Semi-Finals.

After WHITE FERNS captain Suzie Bates won the toss and put her opponents in at familiar M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, South Africa was under pressure from the outset against the discipline of the WHITE FERNS’ white hot bowling unit.

The fielding was aggressive, which only intensified the pressure on their opponents. New Zealand's gallery of on point twirlers was again to the fore. Opening offspinner Morna Nielsen made the first breakthrough in the fifth over after building up a wall of dot balls and leggie Erin Bermingham had a strong game, taking out the stellar pair of South African captain and first drop Mignon du Preez and number four Marizanne Kapp. Leigh Kasperek meanwhile kept the pressure on, and had begun work on snaring 3-19 off her 3.3 overs to reclaim top spot as the tournament’s number one wicket-taker, having gone to nine strikes from four winning efforts.Likewise, the pace of Sophie Devine wreaked havoc as she mopped up the tail to have South Africa all out for 99. She helped herself to three wickets in one over, although blowing the chance of a World T20 hat-trick with a wide.

Although the South Africans had pulled out some class moments with the bat, the WHITE FERNS' fielding had remained electric and no South African had been permitted to really get going. Kapp had been the best on the board, top-scoring with 22 off 24. It meant South Africa would need to produce a bowling performance out of this world to stop a solid WHITE FERNS top order and stay in the title race.

Instead, Suzie Bates (29 off 25) and Rachel Priest (a run a ball 28) ensured there would be no pressure on those who would follow after a 57-run opening stand, whipped up inside 8.2 overs. With more than half the runs already in the bag, the WHITE FERNS would suddenly lose three wickets, Bates falling when Mignon du Preez held onto a screamer at point, off the bowling of Masabata Klaas. Sophie Devine survived a couple of run out scares.

However, having found early boundaries, the pressure valve was already loose. Player of the match Devine finished with an unbeaten 27 off 17, having thumped a trademark six over long-on at the close as she and Katey Martin brought it home by seven wickets, with more than five overs to spare for a superb victory.

NZ Cricket

Photo credits:  ICC/Getty

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