In a thrilling first One Day International (ODI) match against New Zealand in Potchefstroom, South Africa engineered a remarkable come-from-behind victory, largely attributed to the outstanding partnership between Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon.
When Chloe Tryon joined Nadine de Klerk at the crease, South Africa was struggling at 111 for 5 in the 28th over, with Captain Laura Wolvaardt departing after scoring a vital 50 runs. The duo adopted a patient approach, gradually building their partnership. It wasn’t until the 34th over that the required run rate exceeded six runs an over for the first time in the innings. It was then that Tryon unleashed her attacking prowess, hitting three fours off Sophie Devine to reduce the required rate to 5.6 runs an over.
Five overs later, de Klerk took on Eden Carson, striking three boundaries in an explosive 17-run over, thus beginning the final powerplay. This surge lowered the required rate from 5.8 to a more manageable 4.55 runs an over.
Both de Klerk and Tryon reached their respective fifties on consecutive deliveries in the 44th over, displaying a fine balance of rotation and gap-finding. Tryon’s spirited innings ended at 71 off 58 balls when she was dismissed by Devine in the 47th over, with the scores level. Nadine de Klerk then seized the moment, scoring the winning runs in the next over to remain unbeaten on 58 off 77 balls.
New Zealand, batting first, experienced a sluggish start and found themselves in trouble at 55 for 5 after 19.4 overs. However, Hannah Rowe and Brooke Halliday’s impressive 117-run partnership for the fifth wicket resurrected their innings. Rowe and Halliday meticulously rebuilt the innings before shifting gears and increasing the run rate.
Halliday reached her fifty off 70 balls in the 39th over, while Rowe followed suit in the 41st over, taking 67 balls to reach his milestone.
Rowe was dismissed in the 43rd over by Masabata Klaas, who finished with figures of 3 for 60, and Halliday fell in the 48th over to de Klerk, who picked up 2 for 34. Nevertheless, Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr contributed to New Zealand’s total by adding 45 runs off 31 balls, taking their score to 235.