A magnificent century by Laura Wolvaardt helped South Africa Women record a 96 run-win in the third One Day International (ODI) at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Thursday to level the series 1-1 against the West Indies Women. South African captain Suné Luus won the toss and elected to bat first and the Proteas were off to a brisk start scoring 25 without loss at the end of the third over with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits looking in fine form. However, the first wicket fell when pacer Shamilia Connell accounted for the wicket of Tasmin Brits after conceding 17 runs in her previous over. Connell would also claim the scalp of Anneke Bosch when Deandra Dottin took a one-handed screamer at point to dismiss her for 5. The West Indies might have thought that they were on top, but a record third-wicket partnership of 141 runs between Wolvaardt and Luus would ensure the South Africans would not fold easily. Wolvaardt brought up her half-century in 70 balls, while Luus scored hers in 82 balls. Luus was the first of the pair to depart as ‘spin queen’ Anisa Mohammed had her bowled for 56. With the score on 181 for the loss of 3 wickets in the 36th over, the South Africans used this foundation to set the highest total of the series as Wolvaardt went on to score her third ODI century off 114 balls, while Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk played cameos with the bat scoring 43 and 22 runs respectively to add quick runs towards the end of the innings for a total of 299. The West Indies unfortunately lost Chedean Nation who was injured while fielding and stretchered off in the 40th over during the South African innings. She was taken to the hospital “out of an abundance of caution according to the West Indies Media Manager. Connell would go on to claim two wickets off the penultimate over of the innings to end with the best bowling figures for the West Indies of 4/54. Chinelle Henry, Hayley Matthews and Mohammed all ended with a wicket apiece.
The West Indies did not get off to a good start in their reply as the openers were snapped up in quick succession. Rashada Williams once again failed to hit double figures and Deandra Dottin fell victim again to Ayabonga Khaka, scoring just 12. Captain Stafanie Taylor joined Barbadian Kycia Knight at the crease and together the pair attempted to steady the innings. Both women batted positively until Taylor was struck on the helmet in the 13th over by a short ball from de Klerk. Taylor received on-field treatment but was unable to continue her innings and retired hurt on 13 in the next over and eventually found to be concussed. Matthews joined Knight at the crease, but her stay was brief as pacer Shabnim Ismail bamboozled Matthews with a sharp off-cutter and had her bowled for 15. Wicket-keeper Shemaine Campbell and Knight then put on the highest partnership of the innings (55) to take the West Indies past 100 but Knight departed for a career-best score of 69 caught by a substitute fielder at long off, followed by Campbell who offered a simple caught and bowled chance to part-time bowler Tryon. Without the batting services of Taylor and Nation, the lower order was left to push the total as far as they could. Led by a courageous 18 from concussion substitute Aaliyah Alleyne, the West Indies eventually posted 203 for the loss of 8 wickets. Speaking after the match, vice-captain Anisa Mohammed noted, “Spirits are high in the dressing room, we have a lot of gamechangers in the team and hopefully we can win the series on Sunday.” Mohammed noted that Taylor will be reassessed tomorrow, and the West Indies would be hoping to have their experienced skipper as they charge for a series victory on Sunday.
MATCH SUMMARY
SOUTH AFRICA 299/8 (50 overs)
Laura Wolvaardt 117 (123)
Suné Luus 56 (93)
Shamilia Connell 4/54 (10 overs)
Hayley Matthews 1/51 (9 overs)
WEST INDIES 203/8 (44.4 overs)
Kycia Knight 69 (94)
Aaliyah Alleyne 18 (29)
Shabnim Ismail 4/37 (8.4 overs)
Ayabonga Khaka 2/27 (9 overs)
