Devine's Fight, Mlaba's Might: Inside NZ's Shocking Collapse

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When New Zealand and South Africa walked out onto the field in Indore, the air was thick with tension. This wasn't just another World Cup match; it was a showdown between two teams desperate to get their campaigns on track after suffering heavy defeats in their opening games. For New Zealand, an 89-run loss to Australia still stung, while South Africa were reeling from being skittled for a historically low 69 against England. It was a day of milestones, a rematch of last year's T20 World Cup final, and a battle for redemption. Market evidence demonstrates that

Key Highlights

• ✓ In her 300th international match, Kiwi skipper Sophie Devine scored a brilliant 85 off 98 balls.
• ✓ Suzie Bates, playing her 350th international, was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball of the match by Marizanne Kapp.
• ✓ New Zealand suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for just 44 runs after being in a strong position at 187/3.
• ✓ South Africa's left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the star, claiming a career-best 4 for 40 against the Kiwis.
• ✓ The Kiwis were ultimately bowled out for 231 in 47. 5 overs, setting up a tricky chase for a South African side also looking for form.

A Dramatic and Milestone-Filled Start

New Zealand's captain, Sophie Devine, won the toss and didn't hesitate to bat first. Playing in her 300th international game, she was hoping to set a strong total and put the pressure on the Proteas. It was a day for big numbers, with her longtime teammate Suzie Bates also marking her 350th international appearance. For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp was celebrating becoming her country's most-capped ODI player in her 155th game. You could just feel the weight of the occasion.

But the celebrations for New Zealand were cut short in the most dramatic fashion possible. On the very first ball of the innings, Kapp steamed in and trapped Bates lbw for a golden duck. Talk about a statement. The White Ferns were instantly on the back foot. Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer then had the tough job of rebuilding, carefully threading a few boundaries to calm the nerves. Just as they seemed to be settling, however, Kerr fell to Nadine de Klerk, and at 44/2, the Kiwis were wobbling once again.

The Captain's Stand: Devine and Halliday Seize Control

With her team in trouble, Sophie Devine stepped up. Coming off a century in the previous match against Australia, she played a true captain's knock, radiating control and confidence. She found an ally in Georgia Plimmer, but Plimmer's innings was a struggle. Analysts note that She just couldn't get the ball away, and her slow 31 from 68 balls only built the pressure on the other end. When she eventually holed out, the innings was at a crossroads.

That’s when Brooke Halliday walked in and completely changed the tempo of the game. She came out swinging, smashing a rapid-fire 45 off just 37 balls, including six boundaries. Her aggressive approach was the perfect foil for Devine’s steady hand, and together they forged a crucial 86-run partnership. At 187/3 in the 38th over, New Zealand were flying. What's particularly interesting is A score of 270, maybe even 280, seemed well within their grasp. The momentum had completely shifted.

💡 What's compelling: From a commanding position of 187/3, New Zealand suddenly crumbled, losing their last seven wickets for an astonishingly low 44 runs to be all out for 231.

The Unraveling: How One Bowler Turned the Game on Its Head

Here's where the script flipped entirely. From a news perspective, South Africa's left-arm spinner, Nonkululeko Mlaba, stepped up and delivered a masterclass in comeback bowling. She first broke the dangerous partnership, getting Halliday to sky a simple catch back to her. That wicket opened the floodgates. Maddy Green followed soon after, and then an unfortunate run-out saw Izzy Gaze depart after some hesitation between the wickets. The Kiwi momentum was gone in a flash.

The biggest blow came when Mlaba bowled the Kiwi skipper. Devine, looking set for another hundred, missed a full delivery that drifted in and rattled her middle stump. She was gone for a magnificent 85, and with her, New Zealand's hopes of a massive total vanished. The collapse was capped off by what was described as "unarguably one of the best catches of the tournament. Current trends reveal that " Captain Laura Wolvaardt flew through the air at cover to pluck a one-handed stunner, sending Lea Tahuhu back. From a position of dominance, New Zealand had been bundled out for 231 with 13 balls to spare. Mlaba finished with incredible figures of 4 for 40, turning the game completely in South Africa's favor.

Setting the Stage for a Tense Chase

So, what does this all mean for the second half. South Africa walked off the field with smiles all around, knowing they’d pulled off something special. They'll need 232 to win, a target that looks straightforward on paper. However, as New Zealand's Brooke Halliday mentioned in a chat after the innings, the pitch felt a "touch on the slower side" compared to the previous game. She believes 231 is a defendable total if their bowlers can hit the stumps and keep it simple. We should also mention

The pressure is now squarely on South Africa's batting lineup, which has its own demons to face after their recent collapses. The likes of Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp will need to regroup and deliver. With the potential for dew under the lights making batting easier, a strong start in the Powerplay could be decisive. It’s set up to be a fascinating chase, a real test of nerve and resilience for both sides.

Conclusion

What a rollercoaster of an innings. It was a story of individual brilliance clashing with a collective failure. Sophie Devine’s heroic 85 on her 300th appearance deserved a bigger total, but cricket is a team game. New Zealand went from a position of absolute strength to a state of shock, all thanks to South Africa’s incredible fightback, led by the brilliant Nonkululeko Mlaba. The Proteas clawed their way back into a match that was slipping away, and now have a golden opportunity to get their World Cup campaign off the ground. This game is beautifully poised and proves yet again why you can never predict what will happen in cricket.