Mandhana ton helps India wins series

KIMBERLY: Smriti Mandhana slammed a career-best 135 off 129 balls to help the Indian women’s cricket team register a 178-run win over South Africa in the second ODI on Wednesday. India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Mandhana, who had made a 98-ball 84 in India’s 88-run win over South Africa in the first ODI, hit 14 fours and a six as India piled up 302 for three in 50 overs, their second-highest one-day score. In reply, South Africa were 124 all out in 30.5 overs.

Besides Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and V Krishnamurthy hit half-centuries. India’s previous highest ODI score was 358 for two against Ireland last year in Potchefstroom in the build up to the World Cup in England.

India were off to a solid start with Mandhana, whose previous best ODI score was an unbeaten 106 against the West Indies in Taunton last year, stitching together a 56-run opening stand with Punam Raut (20 off 37 balls).

Skipper Mithali Raj too got a start but could not capitalise on it and was dismissed for 20 off 34 balls. But then with Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana put up a 134-run stand for the third wicket which set India up for a big total.

When Mandhana got out caught behind scoring her third ODI ton, India were looking good on 241 for three in the 44th over. V Krishnamurthy then played a cameo, a 33-ball 51 with six fours and a six, to take India past the 300-run mark. Harmanpreet played anchor with a 69-ball 55 with two fours and a six.

Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav excelled with the ball with figures of four for 24.

Brief scores: India 302/3 in 50 overs (S Mandhana 135, H Kaur 55*, V Krishnamurthy 51*) vs South Africa 124 all out in 30.5 overs (L Lee 73; P Yadav 4/24).