series win over India in India, and by doing so have moved themselves up
to second in the ICCWC points table.
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Women | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | +0.952 | 1196/236.2 | 1130/275.0 |
| South Africa Women | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | +0.334 | 852/216.1 | 796/220.4 |
| West Indies Women | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.584 | 1128/257.3 | 1111/292.4 |
| England Women | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +0.686 | 367/80.1 | 312/80.1 |
| India Women | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -0.371 | 793/224.5 | 855/219.2 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -0.583 | 315/76.0 | 364/77.0 |
| Pakistan Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.357 | 467/125.0 | 477/93.4 |
| New Zealand Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.712 | 392/150.0 | 465/107.3 |
In the first match of the series they restricted India to just 114
thanks to four wicket hauls from Dane van Niekerk (4/9) and Marizanne
Kapp (4/21). At 29/3 their reply looked to be in trouble, but a maiden
ODI 50 from Chloe Tryon got the Saffers over the line, with just two
wickets in hand. Veteran Jhulan Goswami held the Indian batting and
bowling together with 33 and 3/22, but it was not enough to prevent
South Africa claiming the two points.
In the second game India chased down South Africa's below par 186/8, in
which Chloe Tryon again top scored with 49*, including 18 off the last
over of the innings. With India at 73/3 the game seemed to be in the
balance, but an 89 run partnership between Shikha Pandey (59) and
Harmanpreet Kaur (42*) allowed India to level the series. It was
Pandey's maiden ODI 50 as she emerged as a genuine all-rounder.
And so to the deciding game of the series. India were inserted by South
Africa and were once again indebted to Pandey, who again made 59, as
they struggled to 180 all out. Having been 176/6 it was a total that
should have been higher. Harmanpreet Kaur also hit 42 off 39 balls after
an extremely cautious start to the Indian innings from Poonam Raut and
debutant Deepti Sharma, after Mandhana had gone early. Sunette Loubser
(3/28) and Marcia Letsoalo (3/46) were the main wicket-takers, but
mention should be made of opener Ayabonga Khaka who opened with five
maidens on the trot and went for just 19 off her nine overs. Keeper
Trisha Chetty also had a good day behind the stumps with five victims.
In reply South Africa again lost early wickets with Lizelle Lee and
Chetty soon back in the hutch, but new girl Nadine Moodley (56) hit her
maiden ODI half-century and skipper Mignon du Preez struck 46, before
both were out in quick succession with 59 still needed for the win. The
nerves will have been jangling as South Africa were without the injured
Chloe Tryon, but with Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk they seemed to
have the experience they needed. But when Kapp was run out for 14, the
load seemed to be all van Nierkerk's. Thabethe came and went quickly,
but the experienced Sunette Loubser (23*), better known for her loopy
off-spin, used her experience wisely and became the South African
aggressor as van Niekerk (20*) bunkered down. Together they added the 33
runs that South Africa so desperately needed.
India's one day woes continue (they only have 3 points from 6 games),
but South Africa have taken another step towards being regarded as one
of the top four sides in the world and qualifying automatically for the
2017 World Cup.
Thank you very much for your comments