SA women go down against NZ

Johannesburg - The SA women's cricket team put up a valiant fight but struggled to chase down a hefty target as they lost to New Zealand in their second Group B match of the Women's World T20 tournament in Galle, Sri Lanka, on Friday.

Veteran Alison Hodgkinson made 31 runs and teenager Dane van Niekerk contributed an unbeaten 43, but the South Africans fell 22 runs short of their target as they were restricted to 129/9.

Seam bowler Nicola Browne spearheaded the New Zealand attack, taking 3/13 to lead her side to victory.

The New Zealanders had earlier reached 151/5 after they lost the toss and were sent in to bat.

Van Niekerk, who produced a superb all-round performance, returned 2/29 and speedster Susan Benade took 2/15, but they struggled to contain the top-order pair of Sophie Devine and Frances Mackay.

Devin made 59 runs and Mackay hit 49 as the duo shared a 94-run stand for the third wicket, paving the way to their team's first win of the tournament.

South Africa had defeated hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in the tournament opener on Wednesday.