BARBADOS: Stellar performances from Nondumiso Shangase, Suné Luus, and Nonkululeko Mlaba helped the Proteas Women level the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series with a 40-run win over the West Indies at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
Shangase struck a career-best 55 off 48 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, while Luus top-scored with a 76 from 55 deliveries, guiding South Africa to an imposing 309/9, their highest ever total against the Windies in ODIs.
In response, despite a spirited effort from captain Hayley Matthews (56 off 58 balls; 9 fours) and a fighting half-century from Shemaine Campbelle (53 off 58 balls; 4 fours, 1 six), the hosts were bowled out for 269, with left-arm spinner Mlaba returning career-best figures of four for 33 to close out the match.
Put in to bat once again by the home side, the Proteas Women made a cautious start. Runs were hard to come by in the early overs, with openers Tazmin Brits (26) and Laura Wolvaardt (28) grinding their way to 51 without loss after 15 overs. The breakthrough came via Matthews (2/47), who removed Wolvaardt, and was quickly followed by Afy Fletcher (4/64), who dismissed Brits to leave South Africa 59/2 in the 19th over.
Shangase and Luus then took control. The all-round pair shared a vital 85-run stand that laid the foundation for the visitors’ commanding total. Shangase notched her maiden ODI fifty before falling to Matthews shortly after reaching the milestone. Marizanne Kapp (32) then joined Luus at the crease, and together they added 49 runs for the fourth wicket as Luus brought up her 15th ODI half-century in the process.
As South Africa neared the 200-run mark, Karishma Ramharack (1/56) dismissed Kapp to end the partnership. Fletcher then struck again, trapping Sinalo Jafta (2) LBW to leave the visitors 196/5. Luus kept the scoreboard ticking alongside Annerie Dercksen (37). The duo added a further 40 runs before Luus was finally sent back to the dugout by Aaliyah Alleyne (1/62).
With the score on 236/6 in the 43rd over, Dercksen and Chloe Tryon (28) launched a late-innings charge. The pair’s 57-run partnership added significant momentum before both batters departed within a few deliveries of each other, with South Africa on 295/8. Nadine de Klerk chipped in with a quickfire 11 runs to help push the Proteas Women past the 300-run mark, finishing their innings on a dominant 309/9.
In reply, the West Indies made a steady start, reaching 40 without loss by the seventh over before Qiana Joseph (17) edged to the keeper off Kapp (2/42). Matthews then anchored the innings, sharing brief stands with Realeanna Grimmond (15) and Stafanie Taylor (17) to bring up her eighth ODI fifty. However, both Grimmond and Matthews fell in quick succession, with de Klerk (1/42) and Mlaba striking to leave the hosts wobbling at 107/4.
Taylor was next to go, caught by Tryon off Mlaba, before Chinelle Henry (39) and Shemaine Campbelle added a fighting 58 to keep the chase alive. Shangase (1/21) eventually broke the stand, removing Henry, and despite Campbelle reaching her fifty, wickets continued to fall as she and Jannillea Glasgow (17) were both dismissed with Mlaba and Kapp leading the charge
Late cameos from Zaida James (18) and Afy Fletcher (19) added some resistance, but Mlaba completed her four-for with support from Tryon (1/35) and Ayanda Hlubi (1/47) to see South Africa over the line.
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World LIons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
*Uncapped in T20Is
Fixtures – West Indies Outbound Tour
ODI Series
Source: cricket.co.za
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