Proteas Women smashed by New Zealand in World Cup warm-up

The Proteas Women were defeated by eight wickets in their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday evening.

Despite Laura Wolvaardt's 33 from 37 balls, the Proteas Women were bowled out for 92, with New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek (3/7) and Amelia Kerr (3/13) delivering key performances. Kerr (37) and Sophie Devine (35*) then led New Zealand to successfully chase down the target with just two wickets lost.

After winning the toss, the White Ferns opted to bowl first at the Sevens Stadium. Seamer Eden Carson (2/21) made an immediate impact by dismissing the Proteas openers Tazmin Brits (0) and Anneke Bosch (5) in the first over.

South Africa lost their third wicket 12 deliveries later when Suzie Bates took a one-handed catch to remove Chloé Tryon (2) off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu (1/28) as the Proteas found themselves at 24/3 at the end of the six-over PowerPlay.

Wolvaardt and Suné Luus (7) steadied the innings briefly, pushing the score to 36/3 but Kerr struck twice in consecutive overs to dismiss Luus and Nadine de Klerk (11), leaving South Africa on 52/5 at the midway point of the innings.

In a brief fightback, Annerie Dercksen (19) and Wolvaardt added 34 runs for the sixth wicket, moving the score to 82/5. However, quick wickets from Kasperek removed Wolvaardt and Sinalo Jafta (0), stalling the Proteas' momentum.

South Africa’s innings ended at 92 all out after 20 overs, with Dercksen, Seshnie Naidu (0), and Nonkululeko Mlaba (3) falling in quick succession to Kasperek, Kerr, and a run-out on the last ball of the innings.

In reply, New Zealand made a strong start with Bates and Kerr reaching 37/0. A moment of brilliance in the field saw De Klerk run out Bates for 17, leaving the White Ferns at 38/1 after the PowerPlay.

Needing 55 more runs, Kerr found support from captain Devine as the pair nudged the score to 65/1 after 10 overs, despite South Africa's bowling efforts. The 36-run partnership for the second wicket eventually ended when Naidu (1/12) had Kerr caught in the deep by Tumi Sekhukhune.

However, the wicket came too late for South Africa, as Devine guided her team to victory with 5.3 overs to spare.

The Proteas Women will complete their World Cup preparations with a second warm-up match against India at the ICC Academy on Tuesday, starting at 6pm local time (4pm SAST).