Nadine de Klerk on Thursday hit 84 not out off 54 deliveries as South Africa upset hosts India by three wickets at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
De Klerk, who stroked five sixes and eight fours, put on vital lower-order partnerships after skipper Laura Wolvaardt hit 70 off 111 balls to help South Africa reach 252-7 in 48.5 overs.
That was in reply to India’s 251 all out in 49.5 overs. De Klerk took 2-52 and Chloe Tyron picked up 3-32 in 10 overs apiece as South Africa’s bowlers restricted India to 102-6 at one stage.
Photo: AP
Richa Ghosh’s 94 off 77 balls — including four sixes and 11 fours — helped take India to a competitive total before the Proteas registered a winning chase.
It was South Africa’s second straight win following a lopsided, 10-wicket opening loss to England, and they moved to fourth in the standings. The Proteas next face Bangladesh at the same venue on Monday.
“I am lost for words at the moment,” said De Klerk, the player of the match. “I just wanted to finish the game, so I tried to dig deep and give ourselves the best chance. I do love being under pressure and hopefully this gives us a lot of confidence. I love World Cups and [there is] no bigger stage than playing India at home.”
Photo: AP
India maintained third place on the table — with two wins from three games — ahead of tomorrow’s game against defending champions Australia.
Put in to bat, India failed to impress for the third time running. Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (37) added 55 for the first wicket.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-46) dismissed Mandhana in the 11th over and then bowled Harleen Deol for 13. In between, Rawal was caught to leave India at 91-3.
Tyron trapped Jemimah Rodrigues LBW for a duck and then dismissed skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (9) as India slipped to 100-5. That became 102-6 as Marizanne Kapp (2-45) sent back Deepti Sharma.
Ghosh turned the innings around with a patient partnership with Amanjot Kaur (13) and added more with Sneh Rana, who scored 33 off 24 balls.
The Proteas lost Tazmin Brits for a three-ball duck just days after she scored a ton against New Zealand.
Like India, the Proteas lost regular top-order wickets and were 81-5 in 19.4 overs with Sune Luus (5) and Marizanne Kapp (20) back in the pavilion as well.
However, skipper Wolvaardt held one end and strung together vital partnerships to save the innings.
First, she added 23 off 33 with Sinalo Jafta (14) to stem the tide and then 61 off 97 balls with Tryon in a momentum-turning partnership.
Gaud bowled Wolvaardt in the 36th over and there was still a lot to be done at 142-6. De Klerk and Tryon combined to script a stunning chase.
Sneh Rana trapped Tryon LBW in the 46th over for one final twist, but De Klerk resisted.
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