BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – South Africa Girls delivered a medical efficiency on Friday to outclass West Indies Girls by 50 runs within the opening Twenty20 Worldwide on the 3W’s Oval in Cave Hill, Barbados.
The emphatic win was fueled by a rare knock from Tazmin Brits, who stood unbeaten on 98 off 63 balls, narrowly lacking her maiden T20I century however securing Participant-of-the-Match honors.
Brits rises after early collapse
Despatched in to bat beneath overcast Caribbean skies, South Africa discovered themselves in early hassle after dropping skipper Laura Wolvaardt and veteran Marizanne Kapp for meager scores, slipping to 25 for 2 by the fifth over.
In stepped Brits, the calm within the storm, to anchor the innings with a poised but aggressive method. Partnering with Nadine de Klerk, she rebuilt the innings, stitching collectively a 71-run stand for the third wicket that turned the tide.
Brits unleashed a flurry of boundaries within the ninth over, dismantling spinner Afy Fletcher with a six and two fours that yielded 18 runs. By the eleventh over, she introduced up her half-century off simply 34 deliveries, smashing back-to-back boundaries off Jahzara Claxton.
Aggression and anchoring in good concord
Although Claxton would ultimately break the partnership—eradicating de Klerk for a well-played 21—Brits was undeterred. She went on to type important lower-order partnerships with Miane Smit, Chloe Tryon, and Karabo Meso, making certain the innings by no means misplaced momentum.
The ultimate over noticed Brits launch Karishma Ramharack over the ropes for a six on the final ball, sealing South Africa’s complete at an imposing 183 for six—their highest-ever T20I rating in opposition to the West Indies. Her polished innings included 9 boundaries and 4 sixes, and her poise on the crease underlined her rising stature within the worldwide sport.
Claxton was the decide of the bowlers for West Indies, claiming 3 for 39 from her 4 overs, although her efforts got here in a dropping trigger.
Windies falter in flimsy chase
In response, the West Indies Girls’s chase was a stuttering affair from the outset. With simply six runs on the board, opener Qiana Joseph was dismissed spectacularly—caught at sq. leg by Tryon in one of many catches of the match.
The misfortune continued as Realeanna Grimmond was run out in unfortunate trend on the non-striker’s finish for simply 4, and captain Hayley Matthews—the aspect’s talisman—perished for 19, skying a easy catch off Kapp.
By the sixth over, the Windies have been reeling at 42 for 3, and the scenario worsened when Shemaine Campbelle (16) and Shabika Gajnabi (0) fell in fast succession, decreasing the hosts to 49 for 5 and dashing hopes of a profitable chase.
Glasgow lone beacon in dim efficiency
Amid the collapse, Jannillea Glasgow emerged because the lone beacon of resistance. The best-hander struck a composed 53 not out off 44 balls, together with 5 fours, bringing much-needed respectability to the scoreboard.
She discovered transient assist from Chinelle Henry, who labored to 26 from 32 deliveries in an 81-run partnership that steadied the ship however couldn’t reverse the deficit. West Indies ultimately closed on 133 for six, falling nicely wanting the goal.
South Africa’s bowlers maintained self-discipline all through, with Kapp taking 2 for 27, and Nonkululeko Mlaba grabbing a key wicket to dent West Indies’ center order.
With the five-match T20I collection now underway, South Africa carries all of the momentum heading into the second encounter on Sunday. For West Indies, a tactical rethink and stronger top-order displaying will likely be important if they’re to show the tide on this dwelling collection.
