Raj, Mandhana give India 2-0 lead

EASTLONDON: Veteran Mithali Raj and opener Smriti Mandhana hit stylish half-centuries as India cruised to a comfortable ninewicket victory over South Africa in the second women’s T20 International on Friday.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team is now 2-0 up in the fivematch series, having won the opening encounter by seven wickets. Chasing a modest 143, India cantered to victory in 19.1 overs as Mandhana hit a blistering 57 off 42 balls while Raj anchored the innings with her second successive half-century, remaining unbeaten on 76 off 61 balls. Raj was declared ‘Player of the Match’ once again.

Mandhana struck four boundaries and three sixes --- one off legspinner Dane van Niekerk and another two off Raisibe Ntozakhe. She was dropped twice during her second half century in the shortest format.

Along with one day skipper Raj, Mandhana added 106 runs for the opening stand in 14.2 overs. Mandhana, who scored a century and a half-century in India’s ODI series win, was in her element, attacking the Proteas bowling and reaching her halfcentury off only 37 balls.

Brief Scores: South Africa 142/7 (Sune Luus 33, Poonam Yadav 2/17) lost to India 144/1 in 19.1 overs (Mithali Raj 76*, Smriti Mandhana 57).

PERRY CLAIMS TOP SPOT

NEWDELHI: Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has claimed the number one spot in the ICC rankings for women in ODIs. The 27-year-old has 725 points, 18 more than India captain Mithali Raj who is now in the third spot. Second is Australia captain Meg Lanning who has 718 points.