Image Credit- CA
At the seventeenth attempt, Marizanne Kapp’s
outstanding all-around performance lifted South Africa to their first ODI
victory over Australia and ensured their survival in both the one-day and
multi-format series.
After South Africa was soundly defeated in Adelaide,
Kapp was forced to retire injured. She acknowledged that she wasn’t sure if she
could play at North Sydney Oval, but the medical staff reassured her that the
home team would come back stronger. Her 75 off 87 balls, of which 48 were
boundaries, was the highlight of South Africa’s batting performance. Anneke
Bosch and Chloe Tryon also made valuable contributions.
After that, she destroyed Australia’s top order,
finishing with three for twelve. Then, Australia’s batting was destroyed in a
way that was rarely seen as they collapsed to 71 for 8 under lights and on a
surface that had been refreshed by a persistent drizzle that had fallen for the
majority of the afternoon.
After catching Alyssa Healy behind the wheel, Kapp
executed a cunning inswinger to evade Beth Mooney’s inside edge. Then, with
Ashleigh Gardner nursing a hamstring injury she had suffered on the pitch, she
trapped Phoebe Litchfield leg before wicket to send Australia 34 for 3.
A sick person Ellyse Perry, batting at number five,
was only able to muster two runs before edging a drive to second slip, giving
ODI rookie Ayanda Hlubi an unforgettable first-ever wicket. Australia’s deep
batting order never had a response as Hlubi, Eliz-mari Marx, and Nadine de
Klerk broke through the middle order on this infrequent occasion.
Gardner, who entered the game at number eight, and Kim
Garth prevented Australia from collapsing and created a record ninth-wicket
stand in women’s ODI, which momentarily inspired hopes of an incredible
comeback before Gardner overtook Marx in the standings.
Australia had just once experienced a home defeat in
an ODI since March 2009.