NZ-W vs SA-W

It isn't the fall, but how quickly you get up that counts. After being steamrolled in their opening game, South Africa have bounced back in commanding fashion. While their net run rate still gives a negative reading, this win would have rekindled confidence and positivity in that dressing room. And they needed it. After all, their next game is against India at Visakhapatnam.

Meanwhile, New Zealand have some questions to ponder upon. They play next in Guwahati against Bangladesh — a team which will get the feel of that venue tomorrow, when they lock horns with England.

And we will be there to call it all. For now, it is time to say goodbye. This is Darpan Tikiya, signing off on the behalf of Pradeep and the rest of the team. 

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa captain): "Such an amazing turnaround. This is what we knew we were capable of. We had an amazing last 15 overs. Mlaba came out for a second spell and was amazing. We have been executing our plans at the death well in recent times.  (On her catch) Just lucky and stuff. (On Tazmin Brits) She has been going amazing. Phenomenal to have her in our change room. Hopefully she can keep doing it for many games to come. That is a pretty big game for us. A change of venue as well. We will need to be switched on."

Sophie Devine [New Zealand captain]: "Even though it was a different pitch than the first game, it was still a 270 or 280 wicket but we kept losing wickets, we thought we will have a crack at the end. Credit to South Africa, they pulled things back nicely, disappointing loss for us. We've spoken ahbout it, we simply have to win all in this competition, we know what we have to do from here on. You can't play a half a game, disappointing, but still a long way to go in the tournament. I would've enjoyed had we won, we will sit down and reflect what happened today. Just been grateful, humble and just proud to represent my country, and also what it means to the people back home."

Tazmin Brits is the Player of the Match! Here's what she has to say: "It feels great, glad we could pull this one through after that first game. Funny enough, I'm not one for the records. When mention Meg Lanning, I'm all for it. I'm just backing myself more, trying to have the confidence through, expand my batting and not just one dimension. I said to myself, will be positive all through and needed this win. (On that celebration) During an interview with Sinalo, I reached out to our fans asking for celebration ideas. Two 13-year-old girls, one from Australia and another from South Africa, both South Africans, suggested this celebration, so I did it for them."

9:29 PM IST: South Africa win by 6 wickets.

Tazmin Brits 101 (89) | Nonkululeko Mlaba 4/40 (10)
Sophie Devine 85 (98) | Amelia Kerr 2/62 (10)

"We are better than that." said Laura Wolvaardt when South Africa were bundled out for 69 against England in their opening game. Today, her mates walked the talk.

New Zealand's total of 231 did feel underwhelming at the halfway stage. Especially considering that at the end of the 38th over, they were 187/3 with both Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine going strong. However, some poorly executed shots in a bid to up the ante towards the end resulted in a collapse — White Ferns amassed 44/7 in the following 9.5 overs.

Yet, not many would have expected South Africa to storm to the target in the imperious fashion they did. But one must doff their hat to Tazmin Brits — the chief architect of their dominance tonight. Apart from a few instances of some iffy calling when running between the wickets, it was largely a chance-less knock from the right-handed opener. Her stroke-play was not just crisp, but also disdainful at times. And despite not trying anything overtly fancy, she scored her 101 at a handsome strike-rate of 113.

Sune Luus played the perfect foil at the other end. Not as fluent, flamboyant or authoritative as Brits, but still very effective. More importantly, she stayed right till the end and took the team over the line.

New Zealand exhibited willingness to fight. Alas, none of their jabs quiet landed. For instance, there was plenty of diving around in the field, despite that they weren't able to save as many runs as they would have liked. They also could not cash upon the run out chances that the Brits-Luus duo gave them. The bowling lacked venom — it would be fair to say that they did not create enough wicket-taking opportunities. 

In the end, it is a comprehensive win for Wolvaardt and co. With this, the fans would feel that their team's campaign is finally back on track. 

40.5 Eden Carson to Sune Luus, FOUR! THAT'S IT! Sune Luus fittingly hits the winning runs and South Africa get over the line. That's a relief, much needed win that for the Proteas woman! A stunning comeback from South Africa, a dominant six-wicket win with almost 10 overs to spare, showcasing grit, intent, and a champion’s response after their heavy defeat in the opener.

On a length outside the off-stump, Luus leans and lofted it over the cover fielder, that runs away and Luus seales the game in style.

40.4 Eden Carson to Sinalo Jafta, short on the off-stump, Jafta swipes it hard and was running away, but deep mid-wicket intercepts and they get a single.

40.3 Eden Carson to Sinalo Jafta, OH! That spun sharply back in, almost sneaks through. Length delivery, spun back in to finish on the off-stump. Jafta went back to cut and ends up chopping it into the off-side.

39.5 Jess Kerr to Sinalo Jafta, FOUR! SHOT! Umpire did well to get out of the way, that was hit powerfully by Jafta. Length delivery on the off-stump, Jafta slams it back past the bowler. Just 4 needed now!

39.3 Jess Kerr to Sinalo Jafta, good length, angled into the pads. Jafta is finally off the mark of her tenth delivery, whips it to deep backward square-leg for a single.

39.1 Jess Kerr to Sinalo Jafta, full adn tailed into the leg-stump. Jafta mistimes the drive. Short mid-wicket diving to her left, deflects it off to mid-on fielder for a dot.