CAVE HILL, Barbados — Below overcast skies on the historic Three Ws Oval, South Africa Girls emphatically shut the door on the West Indies’ hopes of a collection victory, delivering a powerful 166-run (DLS methodology) triumph within the ultimate One-Day Worldwide to seal a 2-1 collection win.
With bat and ball, the Proteas outclassed their hosts, driving a elegant century from Tazmin Brits and a blistering opening partnership to set the tone, earlier than their bowlers ruthlessly dismantled the Windies batting order in a lopsided contest.
Brits and Wolvaardt construct a fortress on the high
Despatched in to bat first, South Africa’s openers wasted no time stamping their authority. Tazmin Brits, in imperious type, hammered her technique to a scintillating 101 off 91 balls, laced with eight fours and 4 sixes, whereas captain Laura Wolvaardt performed the proper foil with a swish 75. Collectively, they stitched a commanding 184-run opening stand, leaving the West Indies bowlers looking for solutions.
Brits introduced up her century in emphatic model earlier than falling to Afy Fletcher, who gave the Windies a much-needed breakthrough. Fletcher’s impression didn’t cease there—she adopted up by clear bowling each Wolvaardt and Nondumiso Shangase within the thirty first over, halting South Africa’s momentum at 207 for 4 earlier than rain briefly interrupted play.
Rain pauses, Kapp pushes on
On resumption, Marizanne Kapp injected late acceleration with an unbeaten 34, serving to the guests submit a formidable 278 for six in 45.5 overs. Fletcher was the standout with the ball, ending with 3 for 53, whereas Hayley Matthews chipped in with the wicket of Sune Luus.
A revised goal of 288 in 39 overs was set for the West Indies beneath the DLS methodology—however from the second the chase started, the innings shortly unraveled.
Early collapse sinks West Indies’ hopes
Any hopes of a heroic chase had been dashed contained in the opening three overs, because the Windies crumbled to 10 for 4, courtesy of a searing spell from veteran seamer Masabata Klaas. Klaas claimed the prized scalp of Matthews for eight, earlier than eradicating Qiana Joseph (1) and Chinelle Henry (0) to set off a top-order collapse.
Regardless of a spirited 65-run partnership between Aaliyah Alleyne (32) and rising star Jahzara Claxton (43), the writing was on the wall. As soon as the duo departed, the innings disintegrated, ending at a paltry 121 in 27.5 overs.
Klaas wrapped up her very good efficiency with 4 for 25, ably supported by Nonkululeko Mlaba (2 for 25) and Annerie Dercksen (2 for 1).
A harsh lesson, however hope in youth
Regardless of the crushing defeat, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews struck a reflective tone, acknowledging the challenges of main a youthful squad however highlighting the flashes of promise on show.
“It’s all the time going to be powerful when you may have a younger group round, however these ladies are right here to study, and I believe they’re desperate to study,” Matthews mentioned.
She praised Claxton’s surprising resilience, saying: “The way in which [Claxton] took place and batted at this time was stunning—one thing that in all probability lots of people didn’t count on from her down at seven or eight. It simply reveals that the younger ones inside the group have loads of potential, they usually simply must be nurtured effectively.”
With the ODI collection within the books, consideration now shifts to the three-match T20 Worldwide collection, which will get underway this Friday. The West Indies will look to regroup shortly, refocus their younger expertise, and bounce again towards a assured South African facet.
