17|04|04

by Scent Senti

The Proteas won the first encounter against India by 6 wickets thanks to heroic performances from Ayabonga Khaka, Laura Wolvaardt, and Annerie Dercksen.

 

India batted first and got off to a good start, scoring 14 runs in the first over off Sune Luus. Shafali Verma and Smirit Mandhana put on a first-wicket partnership of 46 before Tumi Sekhukhune removed Verma (34). Two runs later, Khaka removed Mandhana for 13.

 

India recovered with a third-wicket partnership of 71 between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Sekhukhune also broke that strong partnership, removing Rodrigues for 36.

 

In their last 34 balls, India only scored 38 runs while losing 4 wickets. Indian captain Harmanpreet finished unbeaten on 47 runs. Khaka was the star of the bowling line-up, taking 3 for 16, Sekhukhune finished with 2 for 27, and Nonkululeko Mlaba took 1 for 30.

 

In the chase, the Proteas had a new opening pair in Wolvaardt and Luus. While Luus did look good, she was dismissed early by Shreyanka Patil in the second over. Tazmin Brits came in at an unfamiliar number and contributed only 13 in her 48-run partnership with Wolvaardt.

 

Wolvaardt was finally dismissed for 51 by Shreyanka after she had made 52 with Annerie Dercksen for the third wicket. Chloe Tryon's unbeaten 18 and Dercksen's 44 not out were enough to get the Proteas to the finish line with 6 balls left.

 

The two sides will meet again in two days at the same venue at 2 pm (SAST).