South Africa defeats WI Women in 2nd ODI

South Africa Women secured a 40-run victory over West Indies Women to level the three-match ODI series at 1-1 at the 3Ws Oval in Cave Hill, Barbados.

Sent into bat, South Africa posted a formidable 309 for 9 in their 50 overs, with Sune Luus top scoring with a brisk 76 off 65 balls, including 8 fours. At the same time, Nondumiso Shangase provided solid support with 55 from 48 balls with 4 boundaries and 2sixes.

Supporting knocks from Annerie Dercksen (37), Marizanne Kapp (32), captain Laura Wolvaardt (28), Chloe Tyron (28) and Tazmin Brits (26) bolstered the total.

Afy Fletcher was the best bowler for the hosts, claiming 4-64, while Matthews chipped in with 2-47.

In the early stages, there was some disciplined bowling from Matthews and then Fletcher, as the visitors slumped at 59 for two in the 19th over.

But with some sloppy fielding, the South Africans, led by Luss and Shangase, posted an 85-run third-wicket partnership. Shangase scored her maiden ODI half-century off 42 balls.

Luss continued at the crease and got to 50 off 49 balls. She also shared a few beneficial partnerships, which saw the Proteas women crossed1 over the 300-run mark.

In reply, the West Indies tried to keep up with the run rate of just above six runs per over and had a good start with 40 runs on the board in the seventh over before Qiana Joseph was caught behind off Kapp for 17.

Releanna Grimmond joined her captain, Matthews, and together they carried the score to 80 before Grimmond was caught for 15.

Matthews went on to top-score with 56 but was dismissed in the 20th over to leave her side at 107 for 3.

Vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle added 53, but the middle order struggled to score significant runs as the target began to look unreachable.

Chinelle Henry’s 39 offered hope, and despite a late surge from James and Fletcher in the final overs, they were bundled out for 269 on the final ball of the innings.

South Africa’s left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba starred with 4-33, while Kapp finished with 2-42.