Women’s T20 World Cup: Rampant South Africa hammer hapless West Indies in Dubai
2023 runners-up South Africa made a brilliant start in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. On Friday, October 4.
The Proteas hammered Hayley Matthews’ West Indies by 10 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss and opting to field first, most things went in favour of Laura Wolvaardt and Co.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was their star performer after she finished with figures of 4-0-29-4, picking up the wickets of Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne. On the back of her spell, South Africa bowled their opponents out for an under-par total of 118 for six.
After being asked to bat first, Matthews and Co. could never put enough pressure on the Proteas. They lost the wickets of their skipper and Joseph to find themselves at 31 for two in the powerplay. Stafanie Taylor, playing in her ninth T20 World Cup, held the innings together amidst the fall of wickets at the other end.
Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four-wicket haul broke the back of the West Indies batting order 👊
She’s the @aramco POTM from South Africa’s opening encounter 🅠#T20WorldCup | #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/Hg7XhQda2t — ICC (@ICC) October 4, 2024
Taylor played until the very end, staying unbeaten on 44 off 41 balls with two fours and a six. Zaida James played a short cameo of 15 off 13, injecting some momentum into the innings. Marizanne Kapp showed her class with the new ball, getting the wickets of Matthews and Deandra Dottin, who made her international comeback after more than two years.
Wolvaardt, Brits complete formalities
South Africa never looked in any sort of strife in their run-chase as they tracked down the target with 13 balls left in their innings. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on an unbeaten partnership of 119 runs for the opening wicket off 17.5 overs.
Wolvaardt, one of their most consistent batters, scored an unbeaten 59 off 55 balls, laced with seven fours. Brits, on the other hand, hit six fours on her way to scoring 57 off 52 deliveries.
Impressive fifties from Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits guide the South Africa chase ðŸ‘#WhateverItTakes #T20WorldCup #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/nl0pFqmR9G — ICC (@ICC) October 4, 2024
West Indies were also jolted with a blow as left-arm spinner Zaida James walked off the park after being hit on her jaw while bowling. James copped a blow as the ball deflected off her hands on to her jaw after Wolvaardt hit the leather back to her.
West Indies used as many as eight bowlers, but without any success. Chinelle Henry had an off-day after she leaked 20 runs in two overs. Matthews was frugal with an economy rate of 5.50, but could not make a breakthrough.
South Africa’s next match is against Heather Knight’s England on Monday, October 7 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.