India power to 2-0 T20 series lead

MITHALI RAJ and Smriti Mandhana hit half-centuries to spearhead a comprehensive, nine-wicket victory over the Proteas in a women’s T20 international at Buffalo Park yesterday.

The visitors go 2-0 up in the five-match series which concludes in Cape Town on February 24.

Raj, whose unbeaten 76 off 61 balls (8x4) earned her a deserved second, consecutive Player of the Match award, displayed her experience in India’s pursuit of South Africa’s 142/7. She put on 106 runs with fellow opener Mandhana (57 off 42, 4x4, 3x6), setting their side on course for victory before Moseline Daniels (1/21) took the only wicket for the hosts.

India captain, Harman- preet Kaur (7* off 12 balls) took the back seat in her 38-run partnership with Raj, allowing the veteran to take charge as they cruised home.

South Africa’s fielding was lacklustre. Raj ended the match in style, hitting a boundary off Shabnim Ismail for victory with five deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Suné Luus and Nadine de Klerk top-scored for the Proteas with 33 and 26 runs respectively.

South Africa will have just one day to regroup as the series moves to what will be a must-win match for them in Johannesburg tomorrow. The teams will play the first of three double-headers alongside their male counterparts at the Wanderers at 9am (live on SuperSport 2).