Skipper’s Ton steers Proteas to ODI Series Win

Mignon du Preez scored her maiden One-Day International century to propel the Momentum Proteas Women to a 96-run victory over the Bangladesh Women at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

(Click to read the international season launch, click to read the Bangladesh T20 series wrap, click to read the first ODI match wrap on gsport and match scorecard on Cricinfo.com, click to read the second ODI match scorecard on Cricinfo.com)

This win gives the Proteas Women a 2-0 lead in the ODI series, and another series win over their sub-continent counterparts.

The Proteas were sent into bat in overcast conditions but quickly adapted to the lively Wanderers conditions. Trisha Chetty (16) lost her wicket early. However, Du Preez and Lizelle Lee (71) put together a 106-run second wicket partnership to gain some momentum.

Du Preez surged along to her century in the last over of the innings, and also passed 1 000 ODI career runs during her knock off 105 balls. Dane van Niekerk played an important supporting role in the latter part of the innings, and was unbeaten on 34.

Du Preez and Van Niekerk put together 92 for the fifth-wicket, which ensured the Proteas Women finished on a competitive total of 237.

In response, Bangladesh Women’s openers started positively with an opening 50-run stand. Newcomer Elriesa Theunissen made the breakthrough when she dismissed Ayasha Rahman for 26. This wicket was followed by the two quick wickets of opener Fargana Hoque (27) and Rumana Ahmed (7) and the start of the downward spiral.

The rest of the order had no answer to the bowlers, with leg-spinners Dane van Niekerk (3/27) and Sunette Loubser (3/15) accounting for the bulk of the wickets.

The series moves to SuperSport Park on Tuesday for the third and final ODI. Spectators are invited to bring their families for a “braai” to celebrate Heritage Day in support of the Proteas Women.

(With editing by gsport)