The South Africa Women defeated the West Indies Women on Sunday by six wickets to win the four-match One Day International (ODI) series 2-1 in Johannesburg after the first game was washed out.
The West Indies suffered a double blow ahead of the decider as they were without captain Stafanie Taylor who suffered a concussion in the last match on Friday, and Chedean Nation, who was also injured on-field in the match. Anisa Mohammed took up captaincy duties Sunday and won the toss, opting to bat first.
Opener Rashada Williams once again failed to get a start and was dismissed by South Africa’s strike bowler Shabnim Ismail for 6 runs. Kycia Knight joined Deandra Dottin at the crease and the pair added 65 runs for the second wicket. Ismail then picked up Dottin for 36 to get the much-needed breakthrough for South Africa. Knight fell shortly after which saw the West Indies slide from 104 for 3 to 174 all out. Shemaine Campbelle, debutant Mandy Mangru and Shamilia Connell offered a little resistance contributing 15 runs each.
Chasing just 175 to seal the series, South Africa got off to a decent start with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting on 38 runs together before young pacer Aaliyah Alleyne broke the partnership accounting for Wolvaardt bringing Andrie Steyn to the crease. Brits departed soon after and captain Suné Luus came to the crease and would ensure that victory was out of reach for the West Indies as the pair put on 88 runs for the third wicket. Steyn scored 52 of 73 balls before stand-in skipper Mohammed accounted for both her and Luus, bringing Mohammed just one wicket closer to taking 300 international wickets for the West Indies. Hard-hitter Chloe Tryon then made light work of the runs needed as the Proteas achieved the target in 39.5 overs.
South Africa have lengthened their winning streak as they have now won each of their last five ODI series, which would give them huge confidence ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Cricket (50-over) World Cup next month in New Zealand. The West Indies depart South Africa for New Zealand and look forward to having their injured players recover quickly for the tournament.
MATCH SUMMARY
WI-W 174 all out (49.2 overs)
Kycia Knight 48 (76)
Deandra Dottin 36 (63)
Shabnim Ismail 4/44 (10)
Ayabonga Khaka 2/25 (10)
SA-W 175/4 (39.5 overs)
Andrie Steyn 52 (73)
Suné Luus 47 (80)
Anisa Mohammed 2/31 (9)
Afy Fletcher 1/45 (9.5)
