The Proteas chose the perfect opponents to save their best batting performance of the tournament for, as they set Australia 272 to win in the Women’s World Cup.
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It was the perfect start for the Proteas women after losing the toss. Even with a slow-out-the-blocks Lizelle Lee, they managed to survive the power play and post a decent 88-run opening stand.
This was significant for a number of reasons.
- It was the highest opening stand against Australia in the he tournament.
- It was the first wicket-less power play against them.
- It was also the first 50-plus partnership against the Aussies in 9 games.
Australia plugged the offside with fielders to contain Laura Wolvaardt and Lee’s strengths, so the pair found ways on the legside to score runs.
When Australia made alterations to the field to stop the new scoring options for Wolvaardt, Lee found ways to get some much-needed boundaries.
In came the spin of King. Another hurdle for these openers to overcome.
It wasn’t to be, as Lee’s milestone drought continued when she was trapped lbw by King. South Africa lost their first wicket in the 20th over with 88 on the board.
Wolvaardt then became the first woman to score 4 consecutive half-centuries in a World Cup.
Lara Goodall came in and tried to stabilize the innings by rotating the strike, but she tried to go straight down the ground and was out for 15 off 29 balls.
Skipper Sune Luus now found herself in a familiar situation in this competition. Her team needed a solid knock.
The pair found a way to balance their aggression and strike rotation to take SA past 200.
Luus brought up her half-century at a strike rate of above 100, an essential contribution as they aimed for a big total.
Wolvaardt lost her wicket aiming to hit straight down the ground whilst on 90, ending a partnership of 91.
Luus then lost her wicket on 52 off 51 balls after helping her team to 216-4 in 43.3 overs.
Mignon du Preez looked lively for her 14 off 13 balls, but she was dismissed by one of the catches of the tournament from Ashleigh Gardner.
It was now time for the Proteas’ big-hitters to take aim at the highest total possible.
Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon provided what their side needed. They hit 12 in the 49th over which included a 78m six from Tryon.
Kapp hit 4 classy fours for her 30 off 21 balls as SA posted 271-5 with a 43-run partnership off 25 balls.
