The South American Women’s Cricket Championship witnessed a captivating clash at Poços de Caldas as Chile Women took on Costa Rica Women in the 5th match of the tournament.
Winning the toss and opting to set a target, Chile Women walked out to bat, hoping to build a strong platform early on. However, Costa Rica’s opening bowler Yerin Molina set the tone from the very beginning with tight, economical bowling. Chile’s opener Yaritza Rodriguez was the first to fall, cleaned up by Yerin Molina for just 2 runs off 6 balls, leaving Chile at 6 for 1 in 2.1 overs.
Skipper Camila Oyarce joined Monserrat Montero in the middle, and together they worked hard to stabilize the innings. The duo put together a gritty 31-run partnership for the second wicket, battling through disciplined overs from Katheryn Calderon (0/22 in 4 overs) and Saray Lara (0/16 in 4 overs). Just as the stand was beginning to show promise, Oyarce was caught short of her crease and run out by Calderon for a fighting 11 off 36 balls, breaking the stand at 37 for 2 in the 10th over.
Following the captain’s departure, Monserrat Montero continued to anchor the middle overs alongside Sofia Mardones. The pair added 20 runs for the third wicket before Montero’s prolonged stay came to an end via another run-out, this time executed by JC Molina, leaving her departing for 10 off 40 balls with the score at 57 for 3. That wicket triggered a massive slide in the Chilean batting order. Sofia Mardones, after a 26-ball 11, became the third run-out victim of the innings, dismissed by substitute KA Moya and Calderon at 59 for 4. Wendy Morales then made swift inroads into the middle order, bowling Florencia Martinez for 2 runs to make it 63 for 5.
Jessica Miranda managed 5 off 9 balls before being caught by YP Molina off Morales’s bowling at 68 for 6. Morales finished with impressive figures of 2 for 20 in 4 overs. Meanwhile, Yerin Molina returned to wrap up the tail in spectacular fashion, dismissing Franchesca Moya (0) caught, trapping Alejandra Zuniga (0) lbw, and bowling Tiara Pueye (0) all in the 20th over. Sofia Araya was left stranded on 0 not out, while Paz Ravanal did not bat. Yerin Molina’s brilliant spell of 4 for 3 in 4 overs, complemented by Jazmin Molina’s steady 0 for 10, and 31 extras conceded helped restrict Chile Women to a modest total of 72 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a target of 73, Costa Rica Women kicked off their run chase with open intent, even though Chile’s bowlers tried to make early inroads. Jessica Miranda gave Chile an early breakthrough by trapping opener Dunia Perez lbw for 2 off 18 balls with the score at 16 for 1 in 3.4 overs. Maria Miranda then took charge at the top, partnering with Saray Lara to construct a vital 37-run stand for the second wicket. Maria Miranda anchored the top order with 15 off 34 deliveries (including one boundary) before skipper Camila Oyarce managed to break the stand, having her caught behind by wicketkeeper Franchesca Moya to make it 53 for 2 in 10.2 overs.
Oyarce finished her spell with figures of 1 for 24 in 4 overs, while Jessica Miranda was the pick of the Chilean bowlers with a miserly 1 for 9 in 4 overs including a maiden. With only 20 runs needed for victory, Saray Lara was joined by Maria Cano to finish the job without further hiccups. Cano injected immediate momentum into the chase, striking a brisk 12 off 14 balls featuring two boundaries. Saray Lara played a supporting, unbeaten knock of 13 off 33 balls.
Chile’s remaining bowling attack, Sofia Mardones (0/11 in 2 overs), Florencia Martinez (0/13 in 2 overs), Alejandra Zuniga (0/8 in 1 over), and Sofia Araya (0/5 in 1 over), could not stem the flow of runs, which was also aided by 31 extras. Costa Rica Women comfortably knocked off the required runs, reaching 73 for 2 in just 14 overs to seal a dominant 8-wicket win with 36 balls to spare.
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