Watch: Kayla Reyneke Powers Proteas to Win with Last-Ball Six Against New Zealand Women

Kayla Reyneke lived the dream on ODI debut, blasting the South African Women to a nail-biting 2-wicket win over New Zealand Women at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, as the pair required 14 off the final over for victory. The 20-year-old smashed 2 boundaries, the final a match-winning heave off the very last ball of Suzie Bates, finishing unbeaten on 42* off 32 deliveries (3x4, 2x6).

 

Dropped on 14 off the bowling of Jess Kerr, Reyneke maintained a remarkably calm head. "She just kept her cool at the death and absolutely smashed the White Ferns for it," her coach said following the game. Reyneke's fiery knock aided South Africa in chasing down 269 for a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.

 

Nadine de Klerk lent valuable support by contributing 39 runs. This stand of 48 from two middle-order batters, which was their seventh wicket partnership of the game, revived South Africa's chances of overhauling the White Ferns' imposing target after the middle-order collapsed midway through the chase.

 

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Also Read | Ayabonga Khaka Sets WODI Bowling Record Against New Zealand

 

Strong Start and Key Partnerships

 

South Africa got off to a very positive start thanks to a 123-run third wicket stand between Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus. Dercksen contributed a brilliant 72 off 93 deliveries and Luus 53 off 72, just as South Africa seemed to be sailing towards a comfortable win. They were dismissed by Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr

respectively in quick succession to inject some late drama into the match.

 

New Zealand women had set an ambitious target, and it was a fine innings of 85 from the bat of Maddy Green from 83 deliveries that saw them reach 268 in the end, and important partnerships between Green, Isabella Gaze (70), Izzy Sharp (34) and Jess Kerr (34) were key to that performance. Ayabonga Khaka

turned the match in the closing stages, and took her first six-wicket haul in ODI cricket finishing with figures of 6/56.

 

This was her second five-wicket haul in 120 ODIs, her best having previously been 5/26 in an ODI against the West Indies back in 2022. It was truly a fantastic spell by Khaka that will be remember for years to come.

 

Despite the New Zealand women reaching 92 in the final 10 overs of the match, the middle and lower order batters held their nerve and ensured that Reyneke and De Klerk finished the match and gained a historic win in what was a truly remarkable maiden appearance for the 20-year-old.