Dercksen powers Proteas Women to series success

Annerie Dercksen produced a stellar all-round effort to propel the Proteas Women to a high-scoring 16-run victory against Pakistan in the second ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International (ODI) in Centurion on Wednesday. The home side takes an unassailable 2-0 lead into the final encounter.

Dercksen top-scored with a 68-ball 90 (6x4, 4x6) alongside Tazmin Brits (77 off 62 balls; 10x4, 2x6) and Suné Luus (57 off 67 balls; 4x4) to steer South Africa to a dominant 361/8 in their 50 overs. Pakistan fought hard with the bat, scoring a valiant 345 all out in 49.5 overs, falling short of the target despite fifties from Sadaf Shamas (61), Ayesha Zafar (75) and Fatima Sana (52).

After being asked to bat, the opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt (20) and Brits provided the Proteas Women with a bright start, racing to a 50-run partnership before Sadia Iqbal (2/65) removed the captain in the ninth over.

South Africa reached the end of the PowerPlay on 64/1, with Brits continuing to apply pressure on the visiting bowlers. The opener guided the total past the 100-run mark while bringing up her half-century, before Aroob Shah (2/49) bowled Faye Tunnicliffe (7) to leave the hosts on 110/2 at the first drinks break.

With Brits looking in control, Nashra Sandhu (1/79) claimed the crucial wicket of the opening batter, dismissing her via a stumping in the 19th over. The breakthrough did little to slow the Proteas Women’s momentum, as Luus and Dercksen combined for a half-century partnership for the fourth wicket, steering the home side to 178/3 after 30 overs.

Batting with composure, Luus raised her bat for a second consecutive half-century and the 20th fifty of her ODI career before becoming Shah’s second wicket of the afternoon. Despite Luus’ departure, Dercksen continued her impressive innings, registering her third ODI half-century. However, South Africa suffered another setback with the dismissal of Sinalo Jafta (6), reducing the hosts to 234/5 in the 40th over.

With a solid foundation in place, the Proteas Women accelerated in the final 10 overs. Aggressive contributions from Chloé Tryon (37) and Nadine de Klerk (49) provided strong support for Dercksen’s outstanding knock, as the home side closed on their second-highest ODI total.

Sana (2/72) and Diana Baig (1/82) claimed wickets late in the innings but were unable to stem the Proteas Women’s late surge.

In pursuit of the imposing target, Pakistan suffered early setbacks as Dercksen (3/59) removed Muneeba Ali (5) and Sidra Amin (9) during the PowerPlay. A steady recovery followed, with Shamas and Zafar combining for a 50-run partnership to guide the visitors to 80/2 after 15 overs.

Shamas continued her fine form, bringing up her second half-century in as many matches as Pakistan advanced past the 100-run mark. The right-hander’s innings was eventually brought to an end when she was caught in the deep off the bowling of Luus (1/34), concluding a valuable 97-run partnership.

Despite the breakthrough, Pakistan continued to chip away at the target. Zafar celebrated her fifth ODI half-century, steering the visitors to 153/3 at the halfway stage, with 209 runs still required for victory. Zafar was finally undone by Nondumiso Shangase (2/30) in the 30th over. The dismissal triggered a collapse, as Shangase struck again the very next ball to remove Aliya Riaz (0). Pakistan then lost another wicket in quick succession, with Natalia Pervaiz (27) becoming Dercksen’s third scalp.

Requiring 163 runs from the remaining overs, Pakistan responded with a spirited counterattack. Sana and Aroob Shah (40) combined for an impressive 81-run partnership, with Sana registering a well-compiled half-century before being trapped LBW by Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/68) in her milestone 50th ODI.

Pakistan continued to fight, as Shah and Diana Baig (35*) added valuable late runs. However, De Klerk (2/66) struck twice in the 47th over to tighten South Africa’s grip on the contest. The final wicket fell with the penultimate delivery of the match, with Mlaba claiming her second to seal the victory and secure the series.

The third and final ODI will mark the fifth Black Day ODI and will take place at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday starting at 10am (SAST).

Proteas Women’s ODI Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), *Fay Cowling (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).

* Uncapped

Fixtures and Results

Tuesday, 10 February at 6pm @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom - SA won by five wickets

Friday, 13 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - SA won by six wickets

Monday, 16 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - Pakistan won by 53 runs

Thursday, 19 February at 10am - 50-over Warm-up @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom: SA Emerging Women v Pakistan - SA Emerging Women won by one wicket

Sunday, 22 February at 10am @ Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein - SA won by 37 runs

Wednesday, 25 February at 2pm @ SuperSport Park, Centurion - SA won by 16 runs

Sunday, 1 March at 10am @ Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Meanwhile, the complete schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 featuring all 12 participating teams is now out. Hosts England will square off against Sri Lanka in the opening fixture on June 12.

The 10th edition of the competition will take place from June 12 to July 5 this year, with 12 teams vying for the title in what is the biggest field in the tournament's history so far.

Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands were the final four teams to book their spot at the event, progressing via the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal last month.

The four qualifying sides now join the likes of defending champions New Zealand, hosts and winners of the inaugural edition in 2009, England, 2016 winners, West Indies, current ODI World Cup winners in India, and six-time tournament winners Australia.

Hosts England take on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on June 12, while Ireland and Scotland begin their campaign against each other in an all-European clash at Old Trafford on June 13.

When England face off against Scotland at Headingley on June 20, it will mark the first time that the two teams meet at an ICC event on English turf.

Ireland and Scotland are placed in Group B, along with England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Meanwhile, Group A features Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

The Dutch side will be making their ICC Women's T20 World Cup debut and open their campaign against Bangladesh, who remained unbeaten in the qualifying tournament.

“The release of the schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is an important milestone in the run-up to the global, premier sporting event," ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta said.

"This event is in continuation of ICC's sustained investment in women's Cricket - across expanded participation and high-performance pathways, event and production standards, tournament prize money, widened media distribution and commercial partnerships - towards the goal of commanding higher levels of attention, affiliation and stature with fans worldwide.

“The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India served as a force multiplier for the sport - breaking records, capturing imaginations and inspiring communities - and our ambition is to carry the momentum into the event in June-July."

The final will be played at the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 5.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups

Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands

Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland