Proteas women beat West Indies by 40 runs to level series
The Proteas women took a commanding 40-run win over the West Indies on Saturday to level the ODI series.
Nonkululeko Mahlaba and Chloe Tryon celebrate a wicket Nonkululeko Mahlaba and Chloe Tryon celebrate a wicket
Image: CSA
The Proteas Women came back in the ODI series against the West Indies and leveled the series after winning game two by 40 runs at the 3w’s Oval in Barbados on Saturday night.
Stand-out performances by Nondumiso Shangase, Suné Luus, and Nonkululeko Mlaba ensured the Proteas sealed the victory and gave them a shot at winning the series.
The Proteas went in to bat first, again, but this time, put up a much more composed knock with a couple of half centuries to push their total to 309/9.
Shangase knocked a career best 55 off 48 balls, smashing four boundaries and two sixes in the mix. Luus was the pick of the South African batting contingent, scoring 76 runs off 55 deliveries.
The Proteas opening pair Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put the team in a somewhat comfortable spot during the first powerplay.
Brits and Wolvaardt put up 51 runs in the opening 15 overs before Hayley Matthews removed the South African skipper for 28 runs.
Momentum swung in the home team's favour after Brits was dismissed for 26 runs in the 19th over but Shangase and Luus decided to step up and take control of the match.
A pivotal 85-run partnership put the game back in the South African corner.
Veteran all-rounder Mazrianne Kapp, who returned to the team for the ODI series, scored 33 runs and put up a 49-run partnership with Luus.
Sune Luus lifts her bat to celebrate her half century. Sune Luus lifts her bat to celebrate her half century.
Image: CSA
Once again, Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon came through at the tail end for the Proteas with their pair’s 57-run partnership that gave the side some breathing room amid the West Indies bowling pressure.
The South African bowling attack improved from the first game and looked more in control of their line and length.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowling attack with her superb spell of 4/33 of 10 overs.
Kapp brought her cool head and expereince to the side and contributed with both ball and bat, taking 2/42 of six overs.
Ayanda Hlubi, Nadine de Klerk, Tryon and Shangase each picked up a wicket apiece.
With the win, the Proteas women took some much needed confidence into the third match as they looked to win the three-match ODI series next Tuesday.