The New Zealand Women claimed an 80-run victory over the Proteas Women in the first T20I in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Amelia smashed 78 off 44 ball and Georgia Plimmer a career-best 63 off 44 as the hosts posted 190-7.

In reply, South Africa were restricted to 110-7, with Sophie Devine returning career-best figures of 4-12.

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New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing a wicket off the opening ball of the innings after Nadine de Klerk ran out Izzy Gaze for a duck, the hosts recovered well through Plimmer and Kerr, racing to 61-1 at the end of the powerplay.

The pair continued to find the boundary with ease, bringing up their half-centuries while sharing a 146-run partnership for the second wicket before Masabata Klaas (2-15) broke the stand by dismissing Kerr.

That wicket offered the Proteas Women a route back into the contest in the latter stages of the innings, as Nonkululeko Mlaba (1-29), Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka (1-37) and De Klerk (2-32) combined to slow the White Ferns’ momentum, ensuring the hosts finished just short of the 200 mark.

In reply, South Africa struggled to establish any rhythm with the bat. Tazmin Brits (29), Kayla Reyneke (24) and De Klerk (19) were the main contributors in a difficult outing for the visitors.

Their efforts were overshadowed by the New Zealand bowlers, with Jess Kerr (2-13) and Devine striking at regular intervals to secure a commanding win in the first match of the five-match T20I series.

The second encounter will take place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday.

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