NZ stars too strong for Proteas in Comm Games clash

Veterans Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine have powered New Zealand to a 13-run Commonwealth Games win over South Africa, putting their side within touching distance of the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since 2016.

Devine did the damage early after being sent into bat first at Edgbaston, smacking six boundaries in a 40-ball 48, before Bates accelerated late in a brilliant 64-ball 91 not out that led New Zealand to 2-176.

White Ferns skipper Devine then claimed 3-37 as the Proteas were restricted to 7-154 despite the best efforts of Chloe Tryon (39 off 17) and Sune Luus (32 off 18).

Bates took time to get going and was handed a life on 22, but issued a timely reminder of her experience and class as she reached a half-century from 44 deliveries; her first international fifty in the format since 2019.

She then plundered 41 runs off the next 20 balls she faced, including three sixes, while Amelia Kerr added 20 from 16 deliveries before she was run out on the final ball of New Zealand’s innings.

South Africa had endured a rocky lead-in to the tournament, going winless in a multi-format series against England. They were forced to reshuffle their top-order when opener Lizelle Lee suddenly retired from international cricket last month, and regular captain Dane van Niekerk remains unavailable due to an ankle injury.

To rub salt in the wound, they arrived in Birmingham with just 14 available players (rather than 15) having lost Marizanne Kapp (family reasons), Trisha Chetty (back) and Tumi Sekhukhune (groin) on the eve of the tournament, while fill-in skipper Luus is currently unable to bowl due to a finger injury.

Their new opening combination of Tazmin Brits (6) and Anneke Bosch (3) struggled to get going against the White Ferns, while the star duo of Kerr and Devine removed key Proteas Mignon du Preez (26) and Laura Wolvaardt (28).

Powerful hitting from Tryon and Luus briefly ignited hopes South Africa may yet pull off a miracle recovery reminiscent of Australia’s efforts against India a day earlier.

But a mix-up between the pair that saw Tryon run out proved costly, and despite adding 84 from the last eight overs, it was not enough to recover from the slow start to the chase.

The Proteas now must do what they were unable to do earlier this month and defeat hosts England if they are to have any hope of advancing to the semi-finals.

If New Zealand - now coached by former Aussie assistant Ben Swayer - can win at least one of their final two matches against England and Sri Lanka, they will put themselves in a strong position to return the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time since the 2016 T20 World Cup.

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3: Australia v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium