Tazmin Brits century helps South Africa beat New Zealand at Women’s Cricket World Cup

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INDORE, India (AP) — Tazmin Brits scored a century as South Africa beat New Zealand by six wickets Monday with a turnaround batting performance at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Brits hit 15 fours and a six in her 101 as the Proteas posted 234-4 in 40.5 overs after bowling out New Zealand for 231.

It was a vast improvement for South Africa after being dismissed for 69 against England in its first game. Sune Luus scored 83 not out off 114 balls as South Africa registered its first points of the tournament.

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine led her team with 85 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up 4-40 in 10 overs to lead the South Africa bowling – her second-best career figures.

“I'm glad we could pull off this win, and we definitely needed it after the first game," said Brits, who was voted player of the match. “I am trying to expand my batting a bit and be more positive. It's the first time I used this bat – it’s going to be my lucky bat from now on!”

South Africa, which rose to fifth spot in the standings with an improved run-rate, next meets host India in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

New Zealand, which lost its opening game to Australia by 89 runs, next plays Bangladesh in Guwahati on Friday.

New Zealand made a poor start, losing Suzie Bates on the first ball of the match when she was trapped lbw by Marizanne Kapp.

Georgia Plimmer (31) shared a 44-run second-wicket partnership with Melie Kerr (23) and then combined with the in-form Devine in a 57-run stand.

Devine followed up her century in the first game by reaching 50 off 68 balls, putting on the best partnership of the innings – 86 – with Brooke Halliday (45).

But Mlaba returned for her second spell and wrecked the innings, with New Zealand losing its last seven wickets for 44 runs, including two run outs.

There was no chance to stem the collapse as Mlaba bowled Devine in the 45th over, picking up the best figures for South Africa against New Zealand in tournament history.

Chasing 232, Brits raced to 50 off 44 balls despite losing skipper Laura Wolvaardt for 14.

Brits and Luus then put on a record 159 for the second wicket – South Africa’s best partnership for any wicket in tournament history.

Having scored three hundreds in her previous four ODIs, Brits reached her fifth century of 2025. She also overtook Australia great Meg Lanning by scoring seven ODI hundreds in 41 innings. Lanning took 44 innings to reach that milestone.

Luus took her time at the other end, reaching 50 off 76 balls. South Africa seemed to be heading for a massive win until a slight stumble, with Brits bowled in the 32nd over.

Kerr picked up two wickets as the Proteas slipped to 213-4. Luus, though, made sure there were no further issues as she hit the winning runs with 55 balls to spare.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket