Second place not too shabby

SOUTH African women’s cricket captain Dane van Niekerk was not too disappointed after standin skipper Harmanpreet Kaur lifted India to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Proteas in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 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.

Van Niekerk said: “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 quality team and the experience of Harmanpreet Kaur coming in … they showed it today.

“It was a really good score and we were really happy. But if we had somebody who went on like Deepti Sharma to score 70-odd, would have made life a lot easier and probably an extra 20 runs to work with.”

With just one wicket in hand and only one run scored off the first four deliveries, India did not have much going for them but Kaur heaved a six over the midwicket fence off the penultimate delivery and then a lofted shot towards long on 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.

Kaur said: “To be honest, I was waiting for that ball because that is my strong area. I know like 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 totally team effort from our side.”

Earlier, India’s reply had started slowly and it was 20 for one in 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.

Openers Lizelle Lee (37) and Laura Wolvaardt (21) added 51 runs in 10 overs to put South Africa on road to a big total even as the Indian bowlers struggled to slow the flow of runs.India and South Africa, along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in which they will join Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies.