Things got even worse for the West Indies in the women’s T20I Tri Series in East London. After suffering a losing streak in their first two games, they were capped at 97 for another soft batting performance.
In response, openers Tasmin Britt and Laura Wolvaardt helped South Africa to a 10-wicket victory with 38 balls to go. As a result, the West Indies fell out of the competition.
Wolvaardt, Brits make hunting easier
Wolvaardt flicked the first ball of a 98-run chase for 4 and passed wide middle. The Englishman, who came on for Anneke Bosch, also showed his intention to use his feet to hold off the bowler. She started with a full throw on her square leg, danced down and hit off-spinner Karishma Ramharack in the middle.
Wolvaardt, on the other hand, played her signature Shamilia Connell cover her drive to beat her Sweeper and reverse the next delivery cut well past her point. The pair then took a three-four from the opening leg spinner Afi Fletcher to produce a 50-run partnership.
Wolvaardt stuck to her signature traditional shot, while Britts was adventurous in her, using reverse sweeps and heaves to attack bowlers down the lane. She also struck out the game’s only six.
The same old story of the West Indies
Captain Hayley Matthews won the throw and chose to bat. Until then, no team had ever lost after batting first in a try series. But the lack of supreme will was quite surprising. Left-arm spinner Nonkuleleko Mlaba embarrassed wicketkeeper batter Rashada Williams before making her misscue to middle. Another opener, Britney Cooper, was very happy to play the waiting game and hit the bullseye after seeing seven straight point balls against the Marisanne Cup. Soon his Shemaine Campbelle, who had just scored 47 against India, was eliminated and the West Indies creeped up to his 2-6.
Overall, Cooper’s top four hitters, including his 26-ball 10, hit 17 balls from 55, with the team going 3-for-29 at the 10-over mark.
Only through his 61-run partnership of Matthews, who started at No. 6, and Shabika Gazinavi, did the West Indies reach nearly his 100. Matthews on his 34, Gazinavi on his 33, and the West Indies from his last four overs he was able to add 30. But overall it was well below average. Mlaba finished his four overs on his 1-7, while Tumi Sekhukhune, who came on for Ayabongakaka, finished on his 2-24. South Africa also brought her T20I her debut in seam bowling her all-rounder Annerie Dercksen, who replaced Delmi Tucker in the XI, but she lost her 21 of her two overs. I gave up.