New Zealand Women 171 for 2 (Devine 105, Bates 47*) beat South Africa Women 102 (Peterson 3-14, J Kerr 2-17) by 69 runs
A maiden T20I century from Sophie Devine, followed by incisive, miserly spells from Anna Peterson and Jess Kerr, ensured South Africa fell to a big defeat at the Basin Reserve. With the win, New Zealand wrapped up the five-match series 3-1 with a game to play.
The century comes on the back of a sparkling run of form for Devine: her scores in the T20I series so far read 54*, 61, 77 and 105.
After South Africa chose to bowl, Devine laid the platform for the 69-run victory with a typically commanding knock, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. Fellow opener Lauren Down was out cheaply, but she found great support in Suzie Bates who put together a 46-ball 47 in a 142-run partnership - a record for the second wicket for New Zealand women in T20Is. Devine was run-out off the penultimate ball of the innings, New Zealand piling up 171 for 2.
In reply, South Africa's chase never really got going, with New Zealand breaking through at regular intervals. Peterson and Jess Kerr opened the bowling in a spin-seam combination and while they had the most impressive figures, all the New Zealand bowlers - including Devine - chipped in in some way. Apart from Lizelle Lee, the South African opener who become Devine's victim on the day, none of the visiting batters got past 20. As a result, they were bowled out for a paltry 102 in 17 overs.
That their victory came just a day after Sunday's narrow defeat made it more special, Devine said after the game: "It's pleasing to be able to bounce back after a great game of cricket yesterday. Obviously we were on the wrong side of a tight affair, so it's nice to come back and put in a clinical performance both with bat and ball."