The last encounter of series was crucial for both West Indies and South Africa as they wanted to add some valuable points to ICC Women’s Championship in which they ranked 6th and 7th before the match and moreover South Africa had great chance to register first ever series win against West Indies but Stefaine Taylor and company had other plans.
Once again West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first for the first time in the series. The start wasn’t that great for them as Kycia Knight got Leg before in the third over of the innings by Marizanne Kapp. After that it was all Stefaine Taylor and Hayley Matthews on the scoreboard , they both made a massive 176 run partnership for the second wicket sweating out the visitors and it was only 37th over when they got some moment to cherish when Kapp got Stefaine out for 47 runs(80 balls) who was playing supporting role in the partnership and soon the wicket followed the wicket of 20 years old star Hayley Mathews who got her maiden Hundred in the match and she end up scoring 117 runs off 146 balls ( includes 17 fours). Aggressive Batter and proven match winner Deandra Dottin made sure that her team capitalize on such great start , her quick 59 runs which includes 3 sixes and 4 fours and others mini-essential contributions helped the Windies to post massive 293 runs which was more than enough for any opposition despite Kapp’s 4 wicket hall.
Lizelle Lee who was in great form before the series once again failed to give her team a good start ,she got out in the second over itself to Selman and in form Sune Luus also disaapoints as she got caught and bowled by Shamilia Conell. Captain Dane van Niekerk lead her team over again from front , both van Niekerk and 19 year sensation Laura Woolvardt added 108 runs for the third wicket . The target was big and in orde to increase the scoring rate Laura Woolvardt decided to take risk but got stumped off Afy Fletcher’s ball in 30th over of the match and by this time South Africa only managed to reach 118 runs . All the possibilities and probabilities of Proteas to win the match was finished by storming spell of Deandra Dottin who first got Mignon Du Preez , Chloe Tryon and Masabata Klass in her three consecutive overs and later ended South Africa’s inning with Raisibe Ntozakhe wicket on 177 runs only and West Indies defeated South Africa by 116 runs .The lone warrior was captain Dane van Niekerk whose 77 runs gone in vain.
And this terrific show by the host ended South Africa’s dream to win a series against West Indies at home or away but still they had five more T20 matches coming up which will be more crucial as the T20 World Cup is less than 50 days away.
West Indies Women 292/5 50.0 Overs { Hayley Matthews 117(146) , D Dottin 59(44) ; M Kapp 4/55 }
South Africa Women 177/10 42.3 Overs { Van Niekerk 77(105) , Woolvardt 54(82) ; D Dottin 4/36 }
Hayley Mathews was adjudged Player of the Match and
Dane Van Niekerk Player of the Series.