Proteas pipped in final thriller

– India held their nerve to edge to a one-wicket win over the Proteas in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifier yesterday.

India remain unbeaten in the tournament after the match went down to the last ball, as they reached their 245-run target.

Regardless of the result, both teams had already qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup by reaching the final.

South Africa, who have only lost two matches in the tournament – both against India – won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt (21) put on 51 before Lee was out for 37. Mignon du Preez top-scored with 40 off 72 deliveries with Dane van Niekerk and Sune Luus (above) adding 37 and 35 runs respectively.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad took 3/51 in her 10 overs, including that of Marizanne Kapp (14), Shabnim Ismail (5) and Ayabonga Khaka (1).

India’s reply got off to a great start thanks to Deepti Sharma (71) and Mona Meshram (59) who put on 124 for the second wicket. Veda Krishnamurthy hit 31 but hero of the day was Harmanpreet Kaur, whose unbeaten 41 (including the winning runs), held the innings together when India lost three quick wickets, going from 209/5 after 43.4 overs to 223/8 after 45.4.

The drama escalated when Poonam Yadav (7) was run out by Chloe Tryon off the first ball of the final over with India needing nine to win. Kaur stepped up and hit a six off the penultimate delivery from Marcia Letsoalo and followed it up with a scampered two to claim victory for her side.

Sharma was named Playerof-the-Match and South Africa’s Luus was named Player-of-the-Series. – Own Correspondent