SYDNEY: In a thrilling turn of events, the Proteas Women finds themselves on the cusp of making further history as they head into the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against Australia at the North Sydney Oval on Saturday, 10 February.
After securing their maiden 50-over victory by 84 runs via Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) against Australia in the previous encounter, the series stands level at 1-1. The multi-format tour points are distributed six to four in the host’s favor, setting the stage for a riveting conclusion to the ODI series.
The series finale will be aired live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201) at 14h40 local time (05h40 SAST).
In the pre-match press conference, all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx, after making her first appearance in the ongoing tour during the second ODI, shared insights into the team’s mindset and their determination to secure the series after the memorable win.
“We were satisfied about that historic win in Australia. We were every delighted and obviously having a team tune and just having a few celebrations with each other, which was nice. Leading up to this last ODI, I consider we are every excited.
“Yes, 100%. It is definitely not done. There’s one game to play and I mediate it’s every to play for. If we as a team can stick to what we did the previous match, we can recede and win the series,” Marx expressed.
Discussing the Proteas Women’s strengths in the second ODI, Marx commended her fellow bowlers and their pivotal role in securing the memorable victory.
“I reflect our bowling unit stuck to their plans. We’ve been talking about it leading into the T20Is and other ODIs and this was probably the best performance that the bowlers delivered. I’m delighted with that and hopefully we can design it 2-1,” the 21-year-old noted.
After Marizanne Kapp’s Player of the Match performance in the second ODI, which included a knock of 75 off 87 balls and a return of three for 12 with the ball, Marx spoke highly of her teammate’s impact within the national side and conveyed her wishes to follow in the all-rounder’s footsteps.
“A world-class player and someone that I grasp a lot of learnings from. With the bat, she always delivers, you can basically press her button and she’ll deliver. And with the ball, she showed she was a bit tired, but she’s a world-class player.
“We maintain similar roles. I would like to one day, whenever that might be, when she’s done, to sort of fill those gigantic shoes that she’s standing in and hopefully deliver as much as I can for the country,” Marx added.
In addition to seeking their first-ever series win against Australia, the Proteas Women enter the final ODI with the aim of extending their unbeaten record in 50-over series for the 2023/24 season, having won their last three outings against Pakistan, Novel Zealand, and Bangladesh.
Another objective for the team is to hold a crucial step towards qualification for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 through the ICC Women’s Championship (2022-25), with South Africa currently sharing the top spot on points with Australia (20).
Looking ahead to the pivotal match at the North Sydney Oval in Recent South Wales, Marx provided insight into the playing conditions.
“Well, there’s a bit of grass in the pitch to assist the seam bowlers a bit more. If you stick to your line and length, there’s always something in it for you,” she concluded.
Proteas Women Squad (T20I & ODI) – Multi-format Tour to Australia
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (Western Province)
Results:
T20 Warm-Up
Governor-General XI beat South Africa by 4 wickets
South Africa: 149/7 after 20 overs; N. de Klerk 48* (24), C. Tryon 39 (29); C. Sippel 2/20, C. Ainsworth 2/31
Governor-General XI: 150/6 after 19.2 overs; S. Molineux 59 (41), T. Flintoff 42 (27); M. Klaas 3/16, A. Khaka 2/29
T20I Series vs Australia
1st T20I
Australia beat South Africa by 8 wickets
South Africa: 147/6 after 20 overs; T. Brits 59* (54), S. Luus 19 (17); E. Perry 2/13, D. Brown 2/20
Australia: 149/2 after 19.1 overs; B. Mooney 72* (57), A. Healy 46 (28); M. Kapp 1/25, N. de Klerk 1/25
2nd T20I
South Africa beat Australia by 6 wickets
Australia: 142/6 after 20 overs; G. Harris 31* (18), A. Healy 29 (24); M. Klaas 2/16, N. Mlaba 1/18
South Africa: 144/6 after 19 overs; L. Wolvaardt 58* (53), T. Brits 41 (28); A. Gardner 2/26, T. McGrath 1/16
3rd T20I
Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets
South Africa: 162/7 after 20 overs; M. Kapp 75 (48), C. Tryon 26 (16); T. McGrath 1/17, G. Wareham 1/25
Australia: 163/5 after 19.2 overs; B. Mooney 82 (55), A. Gardener 26 (17); M. Klaas 1/13, C. Tryon 1/23
ODI Series vs Australia
1st ODI
Australia beat South Africa by 8 wickets
South Africa: 105/9 after 31.3 overs; M. Kapp 50* (58) (retired afflict), N. de Klerk 18 (33); A. King 3/19, K. Garth 2/18
Australia: 106/2 after 19 overs; B. Mooney 52* (34), A. Healy 19 (24); N. de Klerk 1/19, M. Klaas 1/22
2nd ODI
South Africa beat Australia by 84 runs (DLS)
South Africa: 229/6 after 45 overs; M. Kapp 75 (87), C. Tryon 37* (36); A. Gardner 2/31, M. Schutt 2/35
Australia: 149 every out after 29.3 overs; K. Garth 42* (48), A. Gardner 35 (52); M. Kapp 3/12, E. Marx 2/22
Fixtures – Proteas Women Multi-format Tour to Australia
ODI Series vs Australia:
Saturday, 10 February – @14h40 3rd ODI – Australia vs South Africa (North Sydney Oval, Sydney)
Test Match vs Australia:
15 – 18 February @ 11h00 – Only Test – Australia vs South Africa (WACA Ground, Perth)
Every match times are local times in Australia
Source: cricket.co.za
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