An all-round bowling performance and fifties from Anneke Bosch (58) and Mignon du Preez (57) helped South Africa Women stamp their authority over India Women with another win in the final match of the five-match ODI series. With this win, South Africa won this series 4-1 and recorded their 10th victory in 11 matches.
Chasing 189, they had suffered three early blows by the time they had reached 27 in the 11th over. India opened bowling with Jhulan Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and the left-arm spinner immediately picked up Laura Wolvaardt for a duck and Lara Goodall for 1. Dayalan Hemalatha dismissed Sune Luus, back to lead the side.
Then Bosch and du Preez took the onus of building the innings and added 96 runs in 23.3 overs. Bosch were more attacking as her 58 runs came off 70 deliveries with eight fours, while du Preez played an anchor’s role with a 100-ball 57.
The partnership was broken by debutant leg-spinner Challuru Prathyusha when Bosch mishit a full toss for Mithali Raj at short mid-wicket. India’s hopes were rekindled when Gayakwad got du Preez within the next three overs.
But Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk prevented any late drama. Their unbeaten 58-run partnership secured the win for South Africa. Kapp remained unbeaten with 36 and de Klerk on 19. For India, Gayakwad’s brilliant spell of 3-13 in 10 overs went in vain. They were already a bowler short as Harmanpreet kaur did not take the field due to an injury.
Earlier in the day, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, Luus won the toss to put the Indians in. South Africa rested Lizelle Lee, who was later named Player of the Series. India, on the other hand, dropped Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav to bring in Hemlatha and the Karnataka leg-spinner, Prathyusha.
The Indian innings never got the required momentum as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The only resistance came during the 71-run partnership between the captain Raj and vice-captain Kaur. Once Kaur was retired hurt at the end of 31st over, things became more difficult for the hosts.
The openers Priya Punia and Smriti Mandhana both got starts but could not capitalise. Both had identical scores of 18. Punam Raut fell for just 10, which brought Raj and Kaur together. Raj looked calm and assured during her 79 off 104 balls, her 55th ODI fifty. After Kaur left the field following an injury for 30, Raj did not find any further ally from the lower order. Despite being set, she could not take the risks necessary for acceleration. None of India’s last six batters reach double digits, and their combined contribution was just 18 runs. India were all out for mere 188 in the final over.
For South Africa Women, de Klerk took three for 35. and was the most successful among bowlers. Tumi Sekhukhune (2-26) and Nondumiso Shangase (2-43) picked up two wickets each. Kapp also delivered a miserly spell of just 25 runs for 1 wicket in her 10 overs. The South African fielding was excellent, the highlight being the run out of Prathyusha with a direct hit by du Preez.
Deservingly, Bosch was named Player of the Match; Lee, Player of the series. For India, the series raised quite a few questions regarding form and team combination with the 50-over World Cup being just 10 months away. The teams will now face each other in three T20Is at the same venue.
Brief scores:
India Women 188 in 49.3 overs (Mithali Raj 79*, Harmanpreet Kaur 30; Nadine de Klerk 3-35, Tumi Sekhukhune 2-26) lost to South Africa Women 189/5 in 48.2 overs (Anneke Bosch 58, Mignon du Preez 57; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3-13) by 5 wickets with 10 balls to spare.
Player of the Match: Anneke Bosch.
South Africa Women win series 4-1. Player of the Series: Lizelle Lee.