Image Credit- Getty
In Benoni, South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt and
Tazmin Brits created history together by teaming up to win the series. South
Africa overcame a 119-run deficit to win the opening ODI and close 2023
impressively.
Wolvaardt, who chose to bat on Saturday in Benoni, put
up the best partnership for South Africa in Women’s ODIs with the British,
scoring 243 runs for the first wicket. With 316 for 4, they concluded with the
third-highest score in Women’s ODI history. Bangladesh responded by folding for
100 in 31.1 overs.
While Brits reached her first century in the format,
Wolvaardt scored her fifth ODI century, and her second of the year. The two
appeared to be headed for more, but in the 43rd over, Marufa Akter bowled
Wolvaardt for 126 off 134 balls, breaking the opening partnership of South
Africa. Ritu Moni had the British out of the game after 118 overs of 124 balls
in the following over, but Anneke Bosch (28* off 19) and Sune Luus (34 off 17)
gave the hosts one last flourish and a challenging score.
With a 2 for 49 record after 10 overs, Rabeya was
Bangladesh’s best bowler. Moni was the only batsman to reach 20 during
Bangladesh’s chase, though, and they never really got going. With 33 runs off
67 balls, including four fours, she led the team in scoring.
Before suffering an ankle injury in the eleventh over,
Marizanne Kapp struck twice in the opening powerplay. She left the pitch after
walking on a sprinkler cover near midwicket. Bangladesh’s collapse was
accelerated by the six wickets split between Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de
Klerk. Bangladesh lost by 216 runs after using 18.5 overs in their innings.