South Africa’s women’s cricket team came back strongly to level the ODI series against the West Indies, showcasing a commendable all-round performance. Sune Luus led the charge with a stellar 76 runs from just 65 balls as South Africa set a daunting target of 309 for 9. Nondumiso Shangase also contributed significantly with a career-high score of 55, batting at the No. 3 position for only the second time.
Annerie Dercksen added a vital late flurry, scoring quickly even as wickets fell, to help South Africa accumulate 106 runs in the final ten overs. “It’s about playing to the situation,” Luus noted post-match, highlighting the strategic approach of the team.
In response, the West Indies put up a spirited fight. Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle both notched up fifties, keeping their side in contention. Matthews, the skipper, struck a fluent 56 off 58 balls, finding the boundary nine times. Campbelle, too, fought valiantly with her 53 off 58 deliveries, though her innings contained just five boundaries.
However, South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba turned the game with an exceptional spell. Her best ODI figures of 4 for 33 included crucial dismissals at key moments, notably removing Matthews when the West Indies were maintaining the required run rate. The visitors had reached 221 with ten overs left, needing just 89 more for a win with five wickets in hand. But, Mlaba, alongside the consistent Marizanne Kapp, took three wickets in a span of just 11 balls, tilting the game decisively in South Africa’s favour.
The innings had started slowly for South Africa, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits patiently building a foundation. Their partnership allowed for more aggressive batting later. Wolvaardt took 28 off 47 balls, setting the stage for Luus and Shangase, who turned up the tempo with an 85-run stand off 69 balls. Dercksen and Chloe Triumph then delivered a decisive burst, adding 57 off 34 balls for the seventh wicket.
As South Africa reflects on this performance, the focus shifts to the series decider on Tuesday. Following that, both teams will engage in a three-match T20I series. Marching towards the decider, Luus shared, “Keeping the momentum will be key.”
This series has become an exciting spectacle of evenly matched teams, and with both sides eager to clinch victory, the deciding game promises to be a thrilling contest.
