The 3rd match of the CSA Women’s Pro20 Series in Pretoria delivered a thrilling clash between Dolphins Women and Titans Women, defined by dominant top-order batting and disciplined bowling spells.
Taking first guard, the Dolphins Women set out to establish a strong platform. Opener Alexandra Candler spearheaded the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten performance, anchoring the side with 89 runs off 60 deliveries, featuring 11 boundaries and 2 crisp sixes. She was smartly partnered by wicketkeeper-batter Yasmeen Khan, who accumulated 35 runs off 32 balls with 5 boundaries. Together, the duo forged a magnificent opening stand of 91 runs, setting up a solid base for the middle order.
The Titans’ bowling attack broke the opening stand in the 12th over when Luyanda Nzuza dismissed Yasmeen Khan for 35 (caught by Anneke Bosch), leaving the score at 91/1 after 11.3 overs. Asakhe Nyovane came in next but had a brief stay, contributing 5 runs from 7 balls (1 four) before being caught behind by Tebogo Macheke off Suné Luus in the 13th over, falling at 96/2 in 12.4 overs. Captain Nondumiso Shangase joined Candler to stabilize the innings, constructing a fast-paced 61-run partnership. Shangase struck 23 off 21 balls with 4 boundaries before being caught and bowled by Masabata Klaas on the penultimate ball of the innings at 157/3.
The Titans’ bowlers worked hard across the 20 overs to keep the scoring under control. Luyanda Nzuza was the standout bowler, conceding just 20 runs in her 4 overs while taking 1 wicket (1/20, economy 5.00). Suné Luus was equally tight, finishing with 1/14 from 3 overs (economy 4.66). Masabata Klaas claimed 1/50 in her 4 overs, while Eliz-Mari Marx provided steady Support with 0/18 from 3 overs. Paulinah Mashishi bowled a disciplined spell of 0/27 in 4 overs (1 wide), alongside brief single-over stints from A Mgwenya (0/12) and Caitlin Wyngaard (0/12). The Dolphins completed their 20 overs with 5 extra runs added to the tally (4 leg-byes, 1 wide), concluding their innings at 157/3.
Chasing a target of 158 runs from 20 overs, Titans Women made their intentions clear right from the outset. Opening the chase, Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Anneke Bosch put on a spectacular exhibition of power hitting. Wolvaardt struck a rapid 69 off 40 balls, lacing 12 boundaries, while Bosch held firm at the other end with a captain’s stroke of 63* off 45 balls, including 10 fours. Together, the pair put together a decisive 114-run opening partnership that completely dismantled the Dolphins’ defense.
The Dolphins finally managed a breakthrough in the 13th over when Ayanda Hlubi removed Laura Wolvaardt for 69, caught by Zintle Mali at 114/1 after 12.1 overs. Suné Luus joined Bosch and kept the momentum going, scoring 17 runs off 13 balls (1 four) in a 39-run partnership before being run out by Jade de Figueiredo and Yasmeen Khan at 153/2 in 15.5 overs. Wicketkeeper Tebogo Macheke came in to finish off the remaining runs, remaining 3* off 10 balls alongside Bosch. Backed by 6 extras (1 leg-bye, 1 no-ball, 4 wides), Titans Women reached 158/2 in just 17.5 overs to secure an emphatic 8-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare.
It was a tough outing for the Dolphins Women bowling unit. Ayanda Hlubi was the sole wicket-taker among the bowlers, recording figures of 1/22 in 3 overs (1 wide). Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled her full quota of 4 overs for 0/38 (1 wide), while Nobulumko Baneti conceded 15 runs in her single over. Zintle Mali went for 0/26 in 2 overs (1 wide), Seshnie Naidu recorded 0/27 in 3 overs (1 wide, 1 no-ball), and Jade de Figueiredo finished with 0/29 in 3.5 overs. Alexandra Candler also delivered a tight single maiden over (0/0 in 1 over). Ultimately, the Titans’ powerful run-chase comfortably sealed the result.
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