After a narrow loss in the second ODI, the South Africans have put together a robust bounceback, with a 96-run victory over the West Indies.
Despite two early wickets, Laura Wolvaardt and captain Suné Luus wrested back the momentum with a well-paced 141-run stand. Luus initially struggled for timing but Wolvaardt found her range fairly early. Wolvaardt’s quick scoring ensured that the hosts wouldn’t get too bogged down.
Luus brought up an industrious half-century, while Wolvaardt raced to her third ODI ton. Both knocks were very vital to SA’s progress. Chloe Tryon helped provide the much-needed late kick with a 24-ball 43, as the Proteas held the upper hand in what was an intense battle of attrition.
SA fell short of 300 by just one run, but it was an imposing first-innings score nonetheless. Shamilia Connell was the one positive for the Windies, with an excellent 4-wicket haul.
The Windies had a stiff chase in store, and it got off to an unceremonious start, when seamer Ayabonga Khaka sent back both the openers within the first four overs. Fortunately, Kycia Knight came in at one down looked solid at the crease.
The visitors’ chance at victory took a deep dive when skipper Stafanie Taylor suffered a sickening blow to the helmet off a bouncer from Nadine de Klerk. Aaliyah Alleyne was added to the XI as a concussion sub, as a result.
Knight scored a stable 69, but regular wickets stunted the Windies’ progress. Attempts to stay in sync with the required rate were futile, as the Proteas bowlers capitalized after creating the pressure. Ultimately, 300 was out of reach, and a commendable team effort with the ball reaped well-deserved rewards.
Shabnim Ismail spearheaded the match-winning performance with 4 wickets, while Khaka continued her brilliant form with 2 wickets of her own.
This victory has set up a captivating decider on Sunday, with the winner taking the series.
SA 299/8 (Wolvaardt 117, Luus 56 – Connell 10-0-54-4)
WI 203 (Knight 69 – Ismail 8.4-0-37-4, Khaka 9-1-27-2)
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix
