South Africa kept the momentum going and leveled the T20 series as well with openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Woolvardt doing the job for them for the second straight time.
Earlier the host were put on to bat first and Windies started brilliantly with young gun Hayley Mathews and McLean began in the similar manner taking their time to adapt to the conditions and then trying to take on the South African attack. But they lost McLean in the 9th over when they were just on 42 runs mark. Captain Stafanie Taylor disappointed the home crowd once again as Saarah Smith got her caught in her very first over. Young Smith also got dangerous Dottin on very next delivery and this changed all the dimensions of the game. But Hayley Mathews who knew no fear decided to attack the bowlers with her partner in crime Campbelle. Mathews smashed two boundaries and a maximum in Saarah’s next over . The quick 53 runs partnership ended in the 16th over when Campbelle got out on 28 off 17.
This time around Mathews took experienced Kapp on remand when she took 25 runs in the 19th over smashing 3 Fours and 2 Sixes. Aguilleira also finished on a high in the last over taking the total to 155 runs which was a great total considering their two main batswomen Stafanie and Dottin didn’t play well.
Lizelle Lee started the chase in the way she is known for and Laura Woolvardt also attacked the Windies bowlers from the beginning. Hayley Mathews who is having a great match so far was attacked by Woolvardt in the 4th over , she hit 2 fours and a six before felling off on the last delivery of the over. Lee then attacked the main bowler of West Indies Deandra Dottin in her first over hitting 3 boundaries in it. Her inning also ended in the 7th over when she first hit Afy Fletcher for 3 consecutive boundaries before getting caught behind the stumps. Two quick wickets brought Windies back in the match . But Mignon Du Preez and Captain Chloe batted sensibly going deep into the game . At the time when the former got out they needed only 41runs in 35 balls . In an over of Anisa Mohammed Chloe hit 2 sixes in a row taking 19 from that and made the target easy even after she got out. Marizanne Kapp made crucial 18 runs and the job was done in the end by Saarah when they needed only 3 off last over.
Lizelle Lee was given Player of the Match award for her quick 42(24) which include 10 boundaries.
Whereas Natasha McLean was chosen as Player of the Series.
BRIEF SCORES:
West Indies Women: 155/5 in 20.0 Overs ( Hayley Mathews 70(52) , SA Campbelle 28(17) ; Saarah Smith 24/2 )
South Africa Women: 156/7 in 19.5 overs ( Lizelle Lee 42(24) , Chloe Tryon 31(22) ; Shamilia Connell 20/2)
Both the series ended in a draw which shows it’s difficult to choose one ultimate winner from both these teams. South Africa began brilliantly in the ODI series , then Windies dominated the series and in the end South Africa played some good cricket in the T20 series to level it from trailing 2-0 in the series. South Africa got few positives as well Tumi Sekhukhune and Saarah Smith who debuted in the series showed great potential with ball in their hand . 20 year old Hayley Mathews played two brilliant innings and was impressive with ball as well . With all the things going in place both the teams are as dangerous as any other team in the world.
So it will be interesting to see both these in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
