Khaka stars as SA smash Scotland

A STELLAR display from 24-year-old Ayabonga Khaka helped the South African Women’s team to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Scotland yesterday to give them control of Group B in the Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament being played in Sri Lanka.

Khaka picked up the player of the match award for an incredible spell of bowling which saw her end with figures of 2/9 from 10 overs, including six maidens.

Half of those maidens came at the back end of Scotland’s innings, with the South Africans bowling out the Scots for 142.

It was Khaka who made the initial breakthrough after the Scots had chosen to bat when she had opener Sarah Bryce caught behind by wicket-keeper Trisha Chetty.

The pressure Khaka exerted at one end brought reward for her fellow newball bowler Shabnim Ismael, who had Olivia Rae also caught behind for 16 in the seventh over.

The Scots never recovered from their poor start and only veteran Kari Anderson was able to provide the South Africans with any concern as she made a gritty 50 off 119 balls.

However, Anderson couldn’t get any of her teammates to stay with her long enough to build a partnership with wickets falling at regular intervals.

There were three run-outs, while SA skipper Dane van Niekerk also picked up two wickets with her leg-spin to knock the stuffing out of the Scottish middle order.

Khaka clean bowled Anderson in the 46th over, putting paid to any hopes the Scots had of setting the South Africans a challenging target.

Ismael finished with 3/30 from her 10 overs.

South Africa faced little trouble in chasing down that miniscule target.

Once again Chloe Tryon showed that she was in excellent form by backing up the 79 she made in the opening game against Pakistan on Tuesday with an unbeaten 45, which again came at better than a run-a-ball and included eight fours and a six.

Yesterday’s win, coupled with Pakistan’s victory against Bangladesh, meant that Van Niekerk’s team sat atop Group B.

There’ll be a break today before the tournament resumes tomorrow. South Africa’s next match is against Bangladesh on Saturday.

The top four teams in the competition will qualify for the World Cup in England in June. – Cricket Writer