Wolvaardt's sparkling century leads Proteas Women to series success over India

Laura Wolvaardt delivered a masterclass with the bat, striking a century in a commanding partnership with Suné Luus to guide the Proteas Women to a record-laden nine-wicket win in the third T20 International (T20I) against India in Johannesburg on Wednesday, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Wolvaardt produced a career-best 115 off 53 balls, including 14 fours and five sixes, alongside Luus’ unbeaten 64 off 42 deliveries (6x4, 2x6), as the hosts completed their highest successful chase after India posted 192/4, built on half-centuries from Shafali Verma (64) and Harmanpreet Kaur (66).

South Africa won the toss and asked the visitors to set a score. India took on that challenge with aplomb, with openers Smriti Mandhana (37) and Verma combining to take their side to 51/0 at the end of the PowerPlay.

Their stand was broken in the ninth over when Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/31) struck twice in consecutive deliveries, removing Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues (0) to reduce the tourists to 68/2.

Despite the setback, Verma continued to lead the charge, combining with captain Kaur for a 73-run partnership. Verma brought up her 16th T20I half-century as India crossed the 100-run mark in the 12th over.

South Africa’s next breakthrough finally came off the bowling of Nadine de Klerk (1/27), with Verma caught in the deep in the 16th over with the score 141/3.

Following her dismissal, Kaur found support from Richa Ghosh (18*), with the pair adding a valuable 51 runs late in the innings. Kaur raised her bat for a 16th T20I half-century before being run out on the final ball, as India posted a challenging 192/4 from their 20 overs.

In reply, the Proteas Women made a blistering start. Led by Wolvaardt, the hosts raced to 72/0 in the PowerPlay, with the captain striking a 23-ball fifty - the fastest by a Proteas Woman in the format.

Despite the field spreading, the pair showed no signs of slowing, reaching 115/0 at the halfway mark. Maintaining a scoring rate above 10 an over, Wolvaardt and Luus continued to dominate, with Luus bringing up her eighth T20I half-century before Wolvaardt followed with the quickest century by a South African woman and the joint third-fastest in women’s T20I cricket.

With both batters in full control and victory in sight, the pair added another milestone, registering South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket in the format (183) before Wolvaardt was eventually dismissed in the 16th over by Shreyanka Patil (1/30).

Luus then sealed the win with a match-winning six, securing victory and the series with 21 balls remaining on a historic night for the Proteas.

The fourth T20I will take place at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Saturday from 6pm (SAST).

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 and Results

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 - SA won by nine wickets

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

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