The White Ferns have suffered their second straight T20I World Cup defeat, leaving them vulnerable to an early tournament exit.
Just two days after Australia thumped them by 97 runs, New Zealand succumbed to another miserable loss to hosts South Africa on Tuesday morning.
A massive win for South Africa 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2023
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A turnaround in form appeared on the cards early in the match after Eden Carson and Lea Tahuhu claimed two wickets each to restrict their opponents to 132/6, but it all went downhill when the Kiwi batters took to the crease.
Veteran Suzie Bates again failed to get off the mark, bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the second over to head to the sheds on zero from two balls. Bates also copped a golden duck against the Aussies after a failed sweep shot afforded quick Megan Schutt her first wicket.
Opening partner Bernadine Bezuidenhout also failed to score a run, stumped on the second delivery of the innings to put the Kiwis immediately on the back foot.
Starts from Amelia Kerr (10 off 12 balls) and Sophie Devine (16 off 26 balls) afforded Ben Sawyers’ team a brief reprieve but their dismissals all but ended hopes of a comeback.
New Zealand are in serious trouble 👀
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2023
Seven wickets have fallen with 84 runs still required.
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Bowled out for just 67 runs, the White Ferns registered their second-lowest T20I in history, making their road to the semi-finals virtually impossible with two pool matches remaining.
Even with two convincing victories against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Sawyer’s side will have to rely on other results falling their way to have any chance of making the finals.
Should they fail to qualify, it would become the second World Cup in a row that they have failed to move past the pool stage, having tumbled out of their home 50-over tournament in 2022, signalling worrying signs for New Zealand Cricket.
With plenty to prove in their second-to-last outing, the White Ferns will take on Bangladesh on Saturday where a huge performance will be necessary to save their campaign.