The Proteas Women put in a commanding all-round performance to beat England by six wickets in the first of three ODIs at the Kimberley Oval on Wednesday.
Marizanne Kapp of South Africa celebrates with her team after dismissing Maia Bouchier of England during Match No 9 of Group B of ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup between England and South Africa (Pic – Avijit Das/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
Marizanne Kapp (3-24), returning to the line-up after missing the preceding T20 series, gave the hosts a good start with the ball to bowl England out for a below-par total of 186.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt then struck a composed 59 not out, while solid contributions from Nadine de Klerk (48 not out), Annerie Dercksen (27), and Kapp (22) ensured the Proteas hit the winning runs in the 39th over.
The tourists had opted to bat after winning the toss in sweltering heat. Still, they were immediately on the back foot as Kapp dismissed Sophia Dunkley (4), Tammy Beaumont (11), and Nat Sciver-Brunt (0) to leave the visitors struggling at 29/3 after seven overs.
Wickets continued to tumble, with Alice Capsey (8) and Knight falling in quick succession to Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/47), leaving England teetering at 106/7 by the 26th over.
A spirited 67-run eighth-wicket stand between Charlie Dean (47*) and Sophie Ecclestone (17) offered some resistance for the visitors.
However, Dercksen struck twice to remove Ecclestone and Lauren Filer (1), while a run-out accounted for Lauren Bell, ending England’s innings at 186 in 38.4 overs.
The Proteas lost opener Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus cheaply in the run-chase but Wolvaardt and Dercksen then combined for a 59-run partnership to steady the innings.
The skipper then teamed up with Kapp before the latter fell with the score of 136-4 as England knew they were maybe back in the contest.
De Klerk though snuffed out any hope for the English with a quick-fire knock off just 28 balls that took the home side over the line with more than 11 overs to spare.
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead on Sunday with the Proteas set to wear an all-black kit to bring awareness and take a stand against gender-based violence.
