SA Savour 4th ODI Win

South Africa women achieved a now-familiar winning margin of 101 runs against a Pakistan Women’s cricket team clearly not able to pose a threat to the home side, when the two met in the fourth of five One Day International (ODI) cricket matches in Pretoria today.

In a change of tactics, Pakistan won the toss, and sent SA in to bat, and seemed to have the upper hand as South Africa were reduced to 55/3 with the departure of Daleen Terblanche, Sunette Loubser and prolific captain Cri-Zelda Britz.

But Johmari Logtenberg teamed up with Susan Benade to score a 121-run 4th-wicket partnership, until Benade was run out by  Urooj Mumtaz for 58, another sterling knock from her bringing about her debut half-century.

Mignon du Preez stayed with Logtenberg at the crease for another 30mins, her another 50-run partnership to SA’s good, and when she departed bowled by Qanita Jalil, Annelie Minnie’s 16 runs came in good time,  before wickie Trisha Chetty came in to finish the innings off with Logtenberg.

SA always looked to have set too good an asking total, but were somewhat set aback by Pakistan’s start, with openers Tasqeen Qadeer and Bishmah Maroof setting out briskly at the asking rate of 5.28.

But once captain Cri-Zelda Brits had run out Mahroof, and Kilowan picked up her first wicket 4 balls later, Pakistan reverted to their familiar laborious batting rate.

Despite Qadeer’s brisk 45 runs, only no. 5 batswoman Sajjida Shah and tail-ender Qanita Jalil put up any real resistance in the chase. With the required run-rate at 6 per over from the 16th over, Pakistan’s defeat loomed large for all to see.

Points of note for South Africa will include slick fielding inducing three run-outs, while Ashlyn Kilowan bowling a full compliment of 10 overs for 4 wickets at a measly economy of 2.3 will please coach Noor Rhode.

Shabnin Ismail was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket, her opening spell of five overs costing only 17 runs, finishing up for an impressive 10-3-22-0, and Sunette Loubser made up for her batting lapse to take two wickets in her 10, 35 runs the price.

Of concern will be 32 extras, with a surprising 24 wides, Kilowan (6) and Loubser (5) the worst culprits.

But on the whole, this series has been an enjoyable one for South Africa, with plenty time in the middle for the host country’s national cricketers, and there will be optimism in the camp to take the final ODI on Sunday for a 5-0 series whitewash.