‘World Boss’ Deandra Dottin indeed ‘bossed’ the Super Over to help the West Indies Women go one-up on South Africa Women in the four-match One Day International (ODI) series at The Wanderers, Johannesburg on Monday. The powerhouse smashed 19 off 5 balls in the Super Over, while Hayley Matthews did her best to ensure South Africa would not succeed in their turn at the crease.
Earlier in the day the West Indies won the toss on an overcast morning and elected to field first in a match that was reduced to 41 overs per side due a rain delay prior to the start. The South Africa Women were off to a good start as the opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on a half-century stand and threatened to set the foundation for a massive total. However, pacer Chinelle Henry got the breakthrough accounting for Wolvaardt for 25 runs in the 17th over and triggered a mini-slide with South Africa losing 3 wickets for 5 runs in 13 deliveries. Henry, who bowled her allotted 9 overs on the trot, also accounted for opener Tazmin Brits who made 25 as well. West Indies continued to chip away at the line-up with all 5 bowlers used taking 2 wickets each. Shamilia Connell accounted for the wicket of South African skipper Suné Luus who top scored with 46 runs. South Africa was bowled out for 160 with 2 balls remaining of their 41 overs.
Once again, West Indies had a shaky start as top-order batters Rashada Williams and Kycia Knight were dismissed for paltry scores of 1 and 3 respectively, before Dottin and captain Stefanie Taylor attempted to rebuild the innings. The familiar partnership was not to be as Dottin was bowled for the top score of 37 by a delivery that came off her pads, after she struck 5 fours and 2 huge sixes. The West Indies women defied a maiden 5-fer by Ayabonga Khaka and laboured on towards achieving the total with small but significant contributions by Taylor (21) and Chinelle Henry (26). Chedean Nation (35) batted well and held the lower order batters together but became the 9th wicket to fall just 3 runs short of the winning target. In true West Indian nail-biting finishing, the last West Indian pair of Shakera Selman and Karishma Ramharack ensured the team would tie the score before Selman was deceived by experienced pacer Shabnim Ismail and adjudged LBW to send the game into a Super Over.
Dottin and Matthews then faced the Super Over for the West Indies and smashed a record 25 runs with Dottin scoring 19 inclusive of 2 fours and 1 six, and Matthews hitting a last-ball six.
Set 26 to win, South Africa’s Chloe Tryon and Tazmin Brits threatened to take home the game after slapping 15 runs off the first 4 balls. However, the pair could only manage 17 runs as Matthews ensured that she would not concede the required amount.
Chinelle Henry was awarded player of the match for her 2 wickets for 32 runs and brisk 26 runs. She also took a one-handed blinder at mid-on to dismiss the powerful Chloe Tryon for 18.
At the post-match presentation, captain Taylor expressed her satisfaction with the bowling department in restricting South Africa to 160, noting that the team was taking each game at a time in preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
South Africa will attempt to level the series in the 3rd ODI which will be played Thursday at the same venue.
MATCH SUMMARY
SA-W 160/10 (40.4 overs)
Suné Luus 46 (52)
Laura Wolvaardt 25 (49)
Tazmin Brits 25 (55)
Shamilia Connell 2/22 (8 Overs)
Hayley Matthews 2/21 (7.4 Overs)
WI-W 160/10 (37.4 overs)
Deandra Dottin 37 (31)
Chedean Nation 35 (52)
Chinelle Henry 26 (28)
Ayabonga Khaka 5/26 (8 Overs)
Suné Luus 2/25 (7 Overs)
