The visitors England, led by skipper Heather Knight, completed a comprehensive whitewash in the three-match T20I series against South Africa and the caravan now moves on to the three-match ODI series, with a one-off Test to follow.
The experienced Marizanne Kapp straightaway found her way back into the side for South Africa. On the other hand, the veteran opening batter Tammy Beaumont made her way back into the side for England.
A rare-guard act from Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean takes England to 186
The visitors got off to a poor start, losing Sophie Dunkley in the first over of the innings after skipper Heather Knight won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Heather Knight joined Tammy Beaumont at the crease and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a crucial 23-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Marizanne Kapp cleaned up Tammy Beaumont to provide the 2nd breakthrough for South Africa. England suffered a collapse as they lost their next five wickets for just 77 runs, including the wicket of their skipper Heather Knight. Nonkululeko Mlaba ended the opposition skipper’s vigil at the crease.
Sophie Ecclestone joined Charlie Dean at the crease with England in deep trouble at 106/7 in the 26th over of the innings. The pair refused to give up, bailing their side out of troubled waters with a much-needed 67-run 8th wicket partnership. Annerie Dercksen returned and picked up the wicket of Sophie Ecclestone to provide the 8th breakthrough for South Africa, ending a spirited stand. England were eventually bundled out for 186 with 68 balls to spare. Charlie Dean (47* off 57 balls), skipper Heather Knight (40 off 63 balls), and Sophie Ecclestone (17 off 27 balls) were the standout performers with the bat for England.
Annerie Dercksen (5-0-16-3), Marizanne Kapp (5-0-24-3), Nadine de Klerk (7-2-32-1), and Nonkululeko Mlaba (8-0-47-2) were the key performers with the ball for South Africa.
Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk powers Proteas to a comprehensive victory
Chasing a target of 187, the home side lost Tazmin Brits in the 3rd over of the run chase with Lauren Bell providing the first breakthrough for England. Sune Luus joined skipper Laura Wolvaardt at the crease and the duo steadied the ship with a crucial 27-run 2nd wicket partnership. Charlie Dean then sent former skipper Sune Luus back to the pavilion to keep the visitors in the hunt in the game.
Annerie Dercksen who had a great day with the ball in hand, joined skipper Laura Wolvaardt at the crease and the pair took their side past the 100-run mark with another crucial 59-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Lauren Filer picked up the wicket of Annerie Dercksen to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side. The home side eventually got over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 70 balls to spare courtesy of an unbeaten 53-run 5th wicket partnership between Nadine de Klerk (48* off 28 balls) and skipper Laura Wolvaardt (59* off 114 balls). Annerie Dercksen (27 off 40 balls), and Marizanne Kapp (22 off 22 balls) were the other stars with the bat for South Africa.
Charlie Dean (9.2-1-49-1), Nat Sciver-Brunt (7-1-34-1), Lauren Bell (6-0-30-1), and Lauren Filer (6-0-45-1) picked up one wicket each for England with the ball, while Sophie Ecclestone (10-1-29-0) build pressure keeping it tight from one end with her sensational spell.
Marizanne Kapp was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round performance. She returned with match figures of 5-0-24-3 with the ball and scored a handy run-a-ball knock (22 off 22 balls) with the bat. She, along with a few other next generation youngsters, played a crucial role in helping South Africa go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series. The 2nd ODI will be played on 8th December 2024 at Kingsmead, Durban from 1:30 PM IST.
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