Proteas Women take 2-0 lead against India

Chloé Tryon shone with the ball before half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus guided the Proteas Women to an eight-wicket victory over India in the second T20 International (T20I) at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday.

Tryon claimed 3/22, alongside Tumi Sekhukhune’s three for 31, to help dismiss India for 147 in their 20 overs. Wolvaardt (54 off 34 balls; 7x4, 1x6) and Luus (57 off 47 balls; 6x4, 1x6) then combined for a 106-run partnership to anchor the chase and guide the home side to a 2-0 series lead with 17 balls to spare.

After losing the toss and being put into bat, India made an aggressive start through Shafali Verma despite the loss of Smriti Mandhana (12) to Tryon in the third over.

South Africa picked up another key wicket in the PowerPlay, with Tryon striking again to remove Jemimah Rodrigues (2), before restricting the visitors to 58/2 after six overs.

Verma, on her 100th T20I appearance, continued to lead the charge, bringing up her 15th T20I half-century in a 53-run stand with Anushka Sharma (28) as India edged towards the 100-run mark. Tryon then returned for her third wicket, making the all-important breakthrough with the scalp of Sharma.

The pressure continued to build as Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/17) dismissed Verma, who was caught brilliantly in the deep by Nadine de Klerk, reducing India to 109/4 in the 14th over.

There was more joy to come for the hosts in the final six overs, as Sekhukhune chipped in with three late wickets alongside De Klerk (1/14) and two run-outs to bowl India out for 147 after 20 overs.

South Africa’s reply was marked by a superb start between openers Luus and Wolvaardt, who put on 66 runs in the PowerPlay.

The pair continued in the same vein in the next phase, adding a further 26 runs to take the Proteas to 92/0 at the halfway stage, needing 56 off 60 deliveries for victory.

Luus and Wolvaardt brought up their 100-run stand, with the captain going on to celebrate her second fifty in the series and her 15th T20I half-century before Shreyanka Patil (2/35) broke the partnership in the 12th over.

Luus soon raised her bat for a seventh fifty in the format as South Africa progressed to 124/1, before she became Patil’s second wicket of the afternoon.

Despite losing both set batters, the Proteas marched on to victory with 17 balls to spare, with Tazmin Brits (20*) and Annerie Dercksen (12*) completing the chase comfortably.

The third T20I will get underway on Wednesday from 6pm at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), *Tebogo Macheke (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions).

*Uncapped

Fixtures

Friday, 17 April @ 6pm - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban - SA won by six wickets

Sunday, 19 April @ 2pm - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban - SA won by eight wickets

Wednesday, 22 April @ 6pm - DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg

Saturday, 25 April @ 6pm - DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg

Monday, 27 April @ 2pm - Willowmoore Park, Benoni