Nonkululeko Mlaba’s career-best figures with the ball, followed by twin half-centuries from Brits, and Wolvaardt power Proteas to a thumping 10-wicket win
South Africa led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt was up against the West Indies led by skipper Hayley Matthews in the 3rd match of the tournament. South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to field first at the Dubai International Stadium. After being inserted to bat first, the West Indies openers Qiana Joseph and skipper Hayley Matthews got their side off to a steady start with a 15-run opening partnership. Marizanne Kapp picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Hayley Matthews to provide the 1st breakthrough for South Africa.
Qiana Joseph soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for South Africa. Deandra Dottin on her return to international cricket looked confident as she stepped out with an intent to take the bowlers on. She smashed three boundaries before she made her way back to the pavilion. Wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle joined Stafanie Taylor at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 30-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark.
Nonkululeko Mlaba cleaned up the wicket-keeper batter Campbelle to provide the much-needed breakthrough for her side. West Indies eventually ended up with a total of 118/6 in their quota of overs. Stafanie Taylor (44* off 41 balls), was the lone warrior for her side, alongside wicket-keeper batter Campbelle (17 off 21 balls), Zaida James (15 off 13 balls), and Dottin (13 off 11 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the West Indies.
Mlaba (4-0-29-4), Kapp (4-0-14-2), Chloe Tryon (4-0-23-0), and Ayabonga Khakha (3-1-12-0) were the top performers with the ball for South Africa. Chasing a target of 119, the South African openers, Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt cruised through the target with 13 balls to spare. Both the openers completed their respective half-centuries. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt (59* off 55 balls), and Tazmin Brits (57* off 52 balls) thrashed the West Indies with a 10-wicket win to kickstart their campaign on a high.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant match-winning spell (4-0-29-4) with the ball. It is also her career-best figures with the ball in the T20I format.
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