The Proteas Women hunted down a target of 254 to beat the visiting New Zealand side by 7 wickets, and 28 balls remaining, showcased a masterclass in batting at Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 28 September, 2023.
The home side’s chase started positively and continued with the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour.
By the 15-over mark, Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus were taking charge, propelling the Proteas Women to 86/2. Their partnership stood out for an elegant balance of patience and aggression. Wolvaardt, showcasing her class, was nearing her half-century, while Luus provided solid support from the other end.
Their dominance became more evident as the game progressed. The pair was in complete control, bringing the team’s score to 137/2 after 25 overs. The ease with which Wolvaardt and Luus played was reflective of their combined experience and talent.
However, the match saw a slight twist with the departure of Luus, claimed caught and bowled by Lea Tahuhu. But this only paved the way for another stalwart of South African cricket, Marizanne Kapp, to join the skipper at the crease.
Kapp and Wolvaardt maintained the team’s solid position, taking South Africa to 162/3 at the 30-over stage.
With Wolvaardt inching closer to her century and Kapp ensuring steady progress, the Proteas Women looked set for a memorable win. By 35 overs, the scoreboard read a promising 198/3, with Wolvaardt just seven runs shy of her century.
It was an occasion to cherish when Wolvaardt brought up her fourth ODI century, a captain’s knock indeed, guiding her team past the 200-mark. Alongside Kapp, who was playing a commendable innings, the team reached 221/3 after 40 overs, needing just 33 more to win.
And they did it in style. Laura Wolvaardt’s Proteas Women clinched a resounding 7-wicket victory over New Zealand with just short of 5 overs remaining, sealing the ODI series with a game to spare.
It was a day of milestones for South Africa, not just on the field with the series win but also off it, as they bagged the crucial ICC World Championship points on offer.
Wolvaardt’s exceptional century and her team’s comprehensive performance will be remembered and celebrated, setting the tone for the rest of the cricketing season. The Proteas Women, #AlwaysRising and #GoGirls, have once again showcased their prowess, promising more enthralling encounters in the future.
Photo Caption: Proteas Women seal series win with a commanding 7-wicket victory over NZ. Captain Wolvaardt’s century leads the charge in Pietermaritzburg, securing crucial ICC World Championship points. Photo: Supplied
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