South Africa women won the series 2-1

2023.12.24

South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits created a record-breaking alliance that helped their team win the series.

In Benoni, South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits created history together by teaming up to win the series. South Africa overcame a 119-run deficit to win the opening ODI and close 2023 impressively.

Wolvaardt, who chose to bat on Saturday at Benoni, put up the best partnership for South Africa in Women’s ODIs with the British, scoring 243 runs for the first wicket. With 316 for 4, they concluded with the third-highest score in Women’s ODI history. Bangladesh responded by folding for 100 in 31.1 overs.

While Brits reached her first century in the format, Wolvaardt scored her sixth ODI century, and her second of the year. The two appeared to be headed for more, but in the 43rd over, Marufa Akter bowled Wolvaardt for 126 off 134 balls, breaking the opening partnership of South Africa. Ritu Moni had the British out of the game after 118 overs of 124 balls in the following over, but Anneke Bosch (28* off 19) and Sune Luus (34 off 17) gave the hosts one more flourish and a challenging score.

With a 2 for 49 record after 10 overs, Rabeya was Bangladesh’s best bowler. Moni was the only batsman to reach 20 throughout Bangladesh’s chase, though, and they never really got going. With 33 runs off 67 balls, including four fours, she led the team in scoring.

Before suffering an ankle injury in the eleventh over, Marizanne Kapp struck twice on the first powerplay. She left the pitch after walking on a sprinkler cover near midwicket. Bangladesh’s downfall was accelerated by the six wickets split between Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk. Bangladesh lost by 216 runs after using 18.5 overs in their innings.

South Africa 316 for 4 (Wolvaardt 126, Brits 118, Rabeya 2-49) beat Bangladesh 100 (Moni 33, de Klerk 3-10 Khaka 3-15, Kapp 2-2-21) by 216 runs

@charith