Nadine de Klerk’s 84 leads South Africa to victory over India in Women’s World Cup

Nadine de Klerk’s blistering 84 guided South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory over India in the ICC Women’s World Cup. Despite Richa Ghosh’s superb 94, India’s total of 251 wasn’t enough as de Klerk’s heroics sealed the win

VISAKHAPATNAM: Nadine de Klerk hammered an unbeaten 84, while skipper Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a patient 70 as South Africa defeated India by three wickets with seven balls to spare in Match 10 of the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Thursday.

De Klerk smashed 16 runs from three balls in the 47th over, leaving South Africa needing 23 from 18 balls. A four by de Klerk off Deepti Sharma in the 48th over made it 12 from 12. The all-rounder sealed victory with two sixes in three balls off Amanjot Kaur as South Africa, who were bowled out for 69 by England in their opening match, came back roaring to secure their second consecutive win and moved to four points. They reached 252/7 in 48.5 overs, securing victory and moving into the top four in the standings. This was India’s first defeat in three matches, but they too remain in the top four.

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South Africa were staring at defeat at 142/6, but Chloe Tryon (49) and Nadine de Klerk (84 off 54 balls) tore apart the Indian attack, raising a quick half-century partnership to take their team over the finishing line for a memorable win. De Klerk smashed five sixes in another brilliant display of power-hitting, scoring the highest-ever score by a No.8 batter in ODIs to secure victory for South Africa.

South Africa had India on the ropes, reducing the hosts to 102/6 midway through their innings after electing to bowl first. But a sensational 77-ball 94 by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, who shared two big partnerships with the tail – 50 with Amanjot Kaur (13) and 88 for the eighth wicket with Sneh Rana (33*), helped India recover and reach a competitive 251 all out in 49.5 overs.

Richa smashed 11 fours and four sixes, going ballistic in the last 10 overs after showing ample patience shepherding the tail. She and Sneh hammered 98 runs in the final 10 overs, putting on a brilliant display of power-hitting. Sneh struck six fours to support Richa.

Chasing 252 for their second win in the event, South Africa found themselves in trouble early on as Kranti Gaud dismissed the dangerous Tazmin Brits, who had struck a brilliant century in their previous match, for a duck off her own bowling.

Amanjot Kaur sent Sune Luus (5) for the wicket, and then Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana bowled well in tandem. Sneh castled Marizanne Kapp (20), while Deepti took a return catch off Anneke Bosch (1). When local girl N. Shree Charani trapped Sinalo Jafta lbw for 14, South Africa slumped to 81/5 in the 20th over and were staring at defeat.

Skipper Wolvaardt held the other end, keeping the scoreboard ticking with occasional boundaries. She found able support in Chloe Tryon as they raised 61 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership. Wolvaardt struck eight boundaries during her 111-ball stay in the middle, but the going was painfully slow, and the asking rate kept mounting.

An inspired bowling change by Harmanpreet Kaur to bring in Kranti Gaud paid off for India as the young pacer bowled Wolvaardt with a brilliant yorker.

With the asking rate mounting to 19 runs per over, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk raised 50 runs for the seventh-wicket partnership, setting things up for a final assault on the target.

With de Klerk hammering Amanjot for a four, South Africa reached 200 at the end of 45 overs, needing 52 runs from 30 balls. De Klerk struck Sneh Rana for a six followed by a four to boost the scoring rate, but a superb delivery by Sneh Rana had the Indian camp in loud appeal for an LBW. Though the on-field umpire turned it down, the DRS decision went in India’s favour, sending Chloe Tryon back for 49 off 66 balls (5×4), leaving South Africa needing 41 from the last 24 balls.

De Klerk completed her half-century off 40 balls and ensured victory for South Africa in a match that started an hour late due to a brief spell of rain and a wet outfield.

Brief scores:
India 251 all out in 49.5 overs (Richa Ghosh 94, Pratika Rawal 37, Sneh Rana 33; Chloe Tryon 3-32, Marizanne Kapp 2-45, Nadine de Klerk 2-52) lost to South Africa 252/7 in 48.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 70; Chloe Tryon 49, Nadine de Klerk 84*; Kranti Gaud 2-59, Sneh Rana 2-47) by three wickets.