West Indies made heavy weather of a reasonably easy chase before clinching a two-wicket victory over South Africa in its first Super Six match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup here on Friday.
Set a target of 231, West Indies lost its way after a decent start before managing to seal the issue with two wickets and 27 balls to spare.
Kycia Knight (46) and Stafanie Taylor (75) were the stars as West Indies finished with 234 for eight in 45.3 overs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Their dismissal triggered a collapse but the West Indies wagged just enough to take the team home after a few hiccups.
Earlier, South Africa managed to put on a fighting total, courtesy couple of decent contributions that helped it go beyond 200.
Trisha Chetty (45) and Croi-zelda Brits (44) were the top run-getters in an otherwise mediocre batting effort that was kept on a tight leash by the disciplined West Indian bowlers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bad start
The West Indian chase was not off to a very good start as opener Natasha Mclean departed after making just five runs, but Kycia and Stafanie steadied the innings in contrasting style.
The cautious Knight and the aggressive Taylor stitched together a 126-run partnership. Kycia was the first to be dismissed after facing 68 deliveries and striking six fours, sent back by Dane van Niekerk, the 19-year-old leg-spinner who had earlier contributed a valuable 33 to the South African total.
Stafanie was the next to go, falling to the same bowler after a 78-ball knock which was studded with nine fours and a six.
Later, Deandra Dottin (24) and Shemaine Campbell (33) did their bit to take West Indies past the finish line.
South African was guilty of inconsistency as its bowlers, despite taking regular wickets, failed to keep a lid on the scoring rate.
For West Indies, pacer Tremayne Smartt was the top wicket-taker, grabbing two for 43 in her 10 overs. She was well-supported by fellow pacer Shanel Daley, who picked up one wicket after giving away 39 runs in her 10 overs.
The scores: South Africa 230 for seven in 50 overs (Trisha Chetty 45, Croi-zelda Brits 44, Dane van Niekerk 33 n.o.) lost to West Indies 234 for eight in 45.3 overs (Kycia Knight 46, Stafanie Taylor 75,Shemaine Campbell 33,van Niekerk three for 47).