Tryon joined de Klerk with South Africa struggling at 111 for 5 in the 28th over. Captain Laura Wolvaart had just been knocked over by Rowe for 50. So, the duo took their time to consolidate and, in the 34th over, the asking rate went above six runs an over for the first time in the innings. That was when Tryon smacked three fours off Sophie Devine to bring it down to 5.6.
Five overs of ticking along later, de Klerk took Eden Carson down – picking up three fours in a 17-run over to begin the final powerplay. It took the required rate down from 5.8 to 4.55 in an over.
De Klerk and Tryon picked up fifties off consecutive balls in the 44th over and, at that point, had 12 boundaries between themselves. Tryon fell to Devine in the 47th over with the scores level but her 58-ball 71 at a strike rate of 122 had done her job. De Klerk hit the winning runs in the next over to put Rowe and Halliday’s efforts in vain.
The New Zealand pair’s rescue act provided a blueprint for the chase, given it came in the aftermath of a slow and staggered start that left them reeling at 55 for 5 in the 20th over with four bowlers among the wickets and Suzie Bates run out.
Rowe and Halliday rebuilt the innings gradually and their acceleration was evident in the 35th and 36th over which collectively went for 21 runs. They picked up three fours in the 41st over from Masabata Klaas to lift the run rate over four. It also saw Rowe join Halliday, who had brought up fifty in the 38th over, join the half-century club.
Rowe fell in the 43rd over and Halliday in the 48th – to de Klerk, who finished with 2 for 34 in nine overs – but Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr pushed the total to 235 with a collective 45 runs off 31 balls. Jess’ strikes with the new ball and Rowe’s in middle overs were pushing the total further from South Africa’s reach but, like in the first innings, No. 6 and No. 7 had the final say.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo