Tryon Heroics Leads Momentum Proteas to Tri-Series Glory in East London

A maiden T20 International half-century from Chloé Tryon helped the Momentum Proteas to a confidence-boosting, five-wicket triumph over India in the final of the Women’s T20I Tri- Series at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday, 2 February 2023.

Tryon blasted six fours and two sixes on her way to a career-best 57* off 32 deliveries as the Proteas Women successfully chased down India’s score of 109 / 4 after Nonkululeko Mlaba’s return of two for 16 led the charge with the ball, with the South African side heading into their home T20 World Cup with welcomed momentum.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India were placed under immediate pressure by South Africa’s effective opening spell with the ball that also saw Mlaba bamboozle in-form batter, Smriti Mandhana (0) to strike in the second over of the match.

The Proteas’ excellent start in the field continued as they restricted the subcontinent side to just 19 / 1 in the powerplay before Mlaba picked up her second scalp of the game to claim the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues (11) with the help of a clean stumping by Sinalo Jafta.

With a rebuild job on their hands, Harleen Deol (46) took responsibility with the bat, alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (21), as the pair put on a vital 48-run stand for the third wicket before Deol helped push India into triple figures, ending on 109 / 4 in their 20 overs.

In company with Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka (1 / 17) and captain Suné Luus (1 / 22) were the other South African bowlers to take wickets for the home side.

In reply, the Proteas Women endured a stuttering start to their chase as India’s spinners, namely Deepti Sharma (1 / 19), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1 / 25) and Sneh Rana (2 / 21), cleaned up South Africa’s top three to leave the hosts reeling on 21 / 3 in the seventh over.

Those wickets meant it was an early introduction for all-rounder Tryon, as the destructive batter played a leading role in three crucial partnerships with Luus (12), Annerie Dercksen (8) as well as a match- winning combination with Nadine de Klerk (17*) worth 47 runs.

With the score on 66 / 5 in the 14th over, Tryon and de Klerk showed great composure and a steely resolve to take the game away from the visitors, spraying the ball to all parts of an electric Buffalo Park Stadium before Tryon dispatched a six over deep square leg to clinch the win with 12 balls to spare.

After an outstanding performance with the bat, Tryon was aptly named the Player of the Match as she helped South Africa pick up their third victory of the Tri-Series. India’s Deepti Sharma scooped the Player of the Series accolade after recording 59 runs with the bat and five wickets with the ball.

With the Tri-Series wrapped up, all the attention now turns to the eagerly-awaited ICC Women’s T20 World Cup South Africa 2023 which will be held in Cape Town, Gqeberha and Paarl between 10 – 26 February. Tickets are available on TicketPro from just R30.