Tryon, De Klerk star as Proteas women ease to victory over NZ in Potch

A sparkling partnership by Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk steered the Proteas women to victory in the opening ODI against New Zealand at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Sunday.

De Klerk hit the winning runs as the Proteas sealed a four-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Chasing 235 to win at a cloudy Potchefstroom, the Proteas eased to their target with 17 balls remaining.

The Proteas got off to a shaky start as they lost Tazmin Brits (4) in the opening over, Lara Goodall (2) and Sune Luus (9).

Marizanne Kapp made a handy 27 before she was caught at deep square leg. Opener Laura Wolvaardt played a captain's innings as she scored 50 off 75 balls (hitting three fours), before she was swung and missed off the bowling of Hannah Rowe (2/26).

Wolvaardt's departure brought Tryon in, and soon De Klerk and Tryon put on a game-changing 124-run stand as they comfortably kept ahead of the run-rate.

Tryon, who returned to the side after missing the Pakistan tour, top-scored with 71 off 58 runs (hitting 11 fours) and fell with the Proteas just needing one more run to seal the win.

De Klerk continued her fine form from Pakistan, bringing up her second consecutive ODI half-century.

De Klerk hit the winning run over midwicket and ended unbeaten on 58 off 77 balls (hitting fours).

Earlier on, Masabata Klaas and De Klerk starred with the ball as they restricted New Zealand to 235-8.

Wickets tumbled at regular intervals for the visitors after being sent to bat first as they found themselves reeling at 55-5.

But a 117-run stand between Brooke Halliday and Hannah Rowe formed before Klaas got the breakthrough.

Rowe scored 52 off 72 balls (hitting seven fours) before the Proteas spinner bowled her out. Halliday fell shortly