Riding on a magnificent century struck by the wicket-keeper opening bat Lizelle Lee, South Africa posted a humungous target of 195-3 in 20 overs against Thailand on Thursday at Canberra.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Proteas made a mockery of Thai bowling as Lee and co. smacked the opposition all-round the park. Despite the early departure of skipper Dane van Niekerk, South Africa under the able aegis of Lee managed to post a daunting score. The swashbuckling opener smashed a 60-ball 101, including as many as 16 boundaries and three maximums.
Lizelle Lee becomes the first @OfficialCSA player to hit a century at the @T20WorldCup and just the fifth player overall. 🙌❤️
Take a bow, Champ! #SAvTHA #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/s77RdabWiG
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 28, 2020
Lee was a treat to watch as she toyed with the Thai bowlers. Sune Luus played the perfect partner in crime as she joined the party with Lee to muscle a 41-ball 61 that included five boundaries and two sixes. Known for her hard hitting ability, Chloe Tryon played a 24-run cameo to take the team score to close to 200. With the ball, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Suleeporn Laomi, and Chanida Sutthiruang picked up one wicket apiece.
Chasing a mammoth 196 was never going to be easy and it required a special performance from the Thai batters to cross the line. The Proteas came hard at them and did not allow them to settle. Shabnim Ismail and Sune Luus wrecked havoc as they struck with three wickets each to run through the batting line-up. The South Africans left no stone unturned in the field and were electric in their fielding. With the bat, it was Onnicha Kamchompu who top scored with 26 (21), however, that was not enough given her side was chasing a target close to 200.
HIGHEST EVER @T20WorldCup SCORE for South Africa!!
195/3 for SA vs Thailand
194/5 for India vs New Zealand
191/4 for Australia vs Ireland
189/1 for Australia vs Bangladesh
187/5 for West Indies vs Sri Lanka#T20WorldCup #WorldCup @OfficialCSA pic.twitter.com/eOfPDkZX2O— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 28, 2020
With two out of two wins, South Africa is sitting comfortably at the top of the table, whereas Thailand playing in its debut T20 World Cup has lost three out of three games and is yet to open its account.
RECORD WIN🇿🇦
✅Highest score (195) in women’s T20 WC history
✅Biggest women’s T20 WC win (by 113 runs)#SAvTHA #T20WorldCup @OfficialCSA pic.twitter.com/zDVFKbzssa— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 28, 2020
On Sunday, South Africa will take on Pakistan at Sydney, while on Tuesday, Thailand will lock horns against the same opposition at the same venue.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.