Mignon steers SA to win, India women clinch series
POTCHEFSTROOM: India opener Deepti Sharma’s 79 and two crucial partnerships went in vain as Mignon du Preez struck 90 not out to guide South Africa to a sevenwicket win in the final ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series on Saturday.
India, aiming for a series sweep after going 2-0 up, made 240 all out after electing to bat. In reply, South Africa reached 241/3 with five balls to spare.
Mithali Raj’s side had a shaky start when Smriti Mandhana, who scored 84 and 135 in the first two games, fell for a third-ball duck. The skipper fell for four off 24 deliveries but Deepti Sharma (79 - 112 b, 8x4) took over to anchor the innings.
The 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh player raised 47 runs for the third wicket with all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur (25) and then added 83 runs for the fourth wicket with Veda Krishnamurthy, who made 56 (64 b, 8x4) for her second fifty in a row.
However, South Africa bowlers fought back. Deepti was caught by Shabnim Ismail off Chloe-Lesleigh Tyron – the team’s most successful seamers – in the 43rd over. It began a slide that saw Shabnim Ismail claim two wickets in the 49th over. India still managed a challenging total thanks to Shikha Pandey’s unbeaten 31 off 16 deliveries.
India had won the first two matches by 88 runs and 178 runs respectively.
However, South Africa’s 18-year-old opener Laura Wolvaardt provided a sound start by making a patient 59 and Andrie Steyn scored 30. Mignon du Preez (90, 111 b, 7x4) then took over and Dane van Niekerk (41 no, 30 b, 5x4) joined in, the pair raising a 72-run fourth wicket stand that ensured victory.
Brief scores: India 240 all out in 50 overs (Deepti Sharma 79, Veda Krishnamurthy 56, Shikha Pandey 31no, Shabnim Ismail 4/30, Chloe-Lesleigh Tyron 2/48); SA 241/3 in 49.2 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 59, Mignon du Preez 90no, Dane van Niekerk 41no).