By Srian Obeyesekere
In a run fireworks of the second ODI of the Women’s Tri Series, India defended 276 for 6 in a dramatic tussle that South Africa huffed and puffed to reaching an ominous 140 for 1 after 27.5 overs that seemed to have put out the Indians, but with Protea opening batter Tazmin Brits well set on a near run a ball century a forced hamstring injury retirement with the score on 170 for 2 of their playmaker, was the turning point to fortunes fluctuating India’s way as that setback literally put out South Africa from the run chase that ballooned from just a 6-run deficit needing 144 from 150 balls to 43one stage when Brits blazed on the bank of 13 boundaries and 3 sixes before India’s spin magician Sneh Rana pulled a rabbit from the hat 5 for 43 dismantling to a great 15-run triumph with Brits, who was her side’s solitary hope coming back at the fall of the eighth wicket, herself succumbing caught bowled by Rana yesterday at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in the wake of her 3-wicket downsizing of hosts Sri Lanka in the curtain raiser.
That ultimately the Brits shot for shot 109 off 107 balls powered by 13 boundaries and 3 over the top to matching India’s 276 run avalanche having taken first lease on winning the toss when Pratika Rawal struck a centerpiece dominating 91-ball 78 (7×4, 1×6) in a repeat show of her Player of the Match half ton against the Sri Lankans, came to naught by that retirement injury. It was knee jerk bemoaning to the South Africans like a phantom jet suddenly crash landing, robbed by her power hitting impact they badly needed in that final charge. It was to negate the high flying 140 for 1 off 27.5 overs when the skipper Laura Wolvaardt exited for 43 leg before wicket to Deepti Sharma. By and large the South Africans lacked the batting depth after the top two to maximize the Brits-Wolvaardt magical start.
In the end, full marks to India for their fighting resolve best echoed by Rana in her post match awards presentation patriotic remarks that ‘I always play for my country to win.’
CHIEF SCORES:
India Women 276/6 (50 Overs)
(Pratika Rawal 78, Harmampreet Kaur 41, Jemimah Rodrigues 41, Smriti Mndhana 36, Harleen Deol 29, Richa Ghosh 24, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/55, Nadine de Klerk 1/39, Ayabonga Khaka 1/42, Masabata Klaas 1/43)
South Africa Women 261 (49.2 Overs)
(Tazmin Brits 109, Laura Wolvaardt 43, Annerie Dercksn 30, Sune Luus 28, Chloe Tryon 18, Sneh Rana 5/43, Deepti Sharma 1/40, Shree Charani 1/51, Arundhati Reddy 1/59)
This post is an official press release by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
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