Dane not too disappointed with her Proteas team

COLOMBO: South African women’s cricket captain Dane van Niekerk was not too disappointed after stand-in captain Harmanpreet Kaur lifted India to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Proteas in the final of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka yesterday.

Set to chase 245, India had all but lost their way after a flurry of wickets, but Kaur kept her cool to score the nine runs required off the last over from pace bowler Marcia Letsoala.

“Even though they had a partnership going, we always knew they were in fours and at one stage they needed even six an over. We were in the driving seat, but India are a qual- ity team and the experience of Harmanpreet Kaur coming in … they showed it today,” Van Niekerk said.

With just one wicket in hand and only one run scored off the first four deliveries of the final over, India did not have much going for them, but Kaur heaved a six over the mid-wicket fence off the penultimate delivery and then a lofted shot towards long on that brought the two runs required off the last ball. Rajeshwari Gayakwad scampered home to complete the double as other Indian players ran on to the ground in celebration of a memorable win.

“To be honest, I was waiting for that ball because that is my strong area. I know we needed nine runs in the final over and I was going to hit the ball. If we run, then we will go for two runs. My partner also did a great job and ran two runs. It was a total team effort from our side,” Kaur said.

Earlier, India’s reply had started slowly as they found themselves 20/1 after 7.3 overs, before opener Mona Meshram and left-hander Deepti Sharma added 124 runs in the next 25 overs to raise the team’s hopes. Meshram struck 59 off 82 balls with seven fours and one six, while Sharma knocked up 71 off 89 balls with eight fours.

Van Niekerk had said on the eve of the match that her team would play positively against the spinners and just about each of the team’s batters did that, showing fine footwork to negate India’s spinners.

Openers Lizelle Lee (37) and Laura Wolvaardt (21) added 51 runs in 10 overs to put South Africa on the road to a big total, even as the Indian bowlers struggled to slow the flow of runs. Lee was quick to despatch anything loose over the infield, smashing three fours and three sixes off 31 balls. Mignon du Preez (40), Van Niekerk (37) and Sune Luus (35) all found ways to counter the Ekta Bisht-led spin attack.

India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have qualified for the Women’s World Cup that will take pace in England in June and July.