Super Over veteran Sophie Devine breaks result as New Zealand claims series

New Zealand players celebrate a wicket (PC: Twitter)

The New Zealand Women claimed the five-match T20I series against West Indies with a game to spare in Antigua. Captain Sophie Devine put her best foot forward in a Super Over thriller after maiming the hosts with three wickets in the low-scoring affair.

Captain courageous Sophie Devine wins it for White Ferns

The New Zealand Women batted first and crawled their way to just 111 off their 20 overs. Captain Sophie Devine and her opening partner Suzie Bates faced 19 deliveries each at the top, only to be dismissed for paltry scores.

Amelia Kerr at number three anchored the ship with an unbeaten 49 to defy Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher amidst their hostile wicket-taking spells.

Later, the White Ferns defended their trivial total with much class, and even salvaged a tie at the end. Apart from Devine’s three-fer, Kerr sisters Jess and Amelia also bowled tight spells, as the duo conceded just 33 runs off their combined eight overs. 

With just four required of the final over, senior pacer Hayley Jensen conceded just two runs off the bat and claimed two wickets.

The low-scoring tied fixture shifted to a one-over eliminator with series on the line for both sides.

Jensen, who bowled a tight final over, gifted away five wides to West Indies in the super over upfront.

New Zealand chased down the hosts 15 off the final ball of their turn, with Devine smacking twin sixes in the deciding over. The win granted the visitors their third in succession, as they claimed the five-match series with a 3-1 lead after four games.

Brief scores:

New Zealand Women: 111-4 (20)

Amelia Kerr 49* (47), Lauren Down 17 (21)
Afy Fletcher 2-16, Hayley Matthews 1-15

West Indies Women: 111-9 (20)

Chedean Nation 23 (28), Rashada Williams 16 (14)
Sophie Devine 3-29, Jess Kerr 2-13

Match tied; New Zealand Women won the Super Over

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