Bates (124no) and Devine (73) plunder record 182-run stand as New Zealand rack up 216-1 at Taunton
Thursday 21 June 2018 11:38, UK
New Zealand hit a then-women's Twenty20 international high of 216-1 in a record-breaking 66-run win over South Africa in the Tri-series opener at Taunton.
The White Ferns overhauled the 209-4 Australia amassed against England in Mumbai in March, with Suzie Bates (124no off 66 balls) and Sophie Devine (73 off 48) sharing a stand of 182, a record for any wicket in women's Twenty20 internationals.
However, New Zealand do own the record for the leading run-scorer in women's T20Is with Bates overtaking Charlotte Edwards while hitting her and her country's maiden T20I hundred.
The 30-year-old reached her ton from 55 deliveries and finished just two runs shy of the 126 Australia's Meg Lanning struck against Ireland in Sylhet, Bangladesh in 2014.
After being put in to bat, New Zealand's first boundary came courtesy of poor fielding, as an attempted shy at the non-strikers' stumps was not backed up and the ball raced away to the ropes.
It was all the motivation Bates needed, as she struck Shabnim Ismail for three consecutive fours and the Proteas' struggles in the field continued with stand-in keeper Lizelle Lee putting down a simple catch after Devine edged spinner Ntozakhe behind on 33.
It took just 11 overs for the White Ferns to bring up their 100, as Bates reached an 18th T20I half-century off 31 balls before the 30-year-old launched Sune Luus for four boundaries, including a huge six into the stands.
Devine went on to bring up her 50 with a massive six off Zintle Mali as New Zealand's opening pair stretched their partnership past 150.
Attempting to convert a T20I half-century into three figures for the first time, Bates reverse-swept Dane van Niekerk for four before a second consecutive boundary brought up her hundred in style.
Although Devine was caught in the deep for 73 off Marizanne Kapp, at a second attempt, it did little to slow New Zealand's charge towards 200 with Bates launching Kapp to the third-man boundary for six as the White Ferns set a second new team record in June.
New Zealand also smashed the highest score in all ODIs when they struck 490-4 against Ireland earlier this month, during a three-match series in which they passed 400 every time - with teenage all-rounder Amelia Kerr pummelling a world-record 232 before taking 5-17 in the final ODI.
South Africa's reply got off to a disastrous start, with the dangerous and powerful Lee caught by wicketkeeper Katey Martin - who took a brilliant diving catch behind the stumps.
Bates remained at the heart of the action, taking two impressive catches - diving forward from the ring for the second - in three balls as the Proteas fell to 50-4, as Hayley Jensen picked up the pair of wickets in her second over.
Van Niekerk (58) made a valiant half-century and shared a 79-run fifth-wicket stand with Mignon du Preez before being bowled by Jansen (3-28) as New Zealand wrapped up a convincing win the first match of the Tri-series.
