Proteas Women claim remarkable victory against Australia
The South African team had previously never beaten the Southern Stars in any format in their history, before the current tour Down Under.
A perfect win after a perfect performance from the Proteas Women to level matters against Australia in Sydney on 7 February 2024. Picture: @ProteasWomenCSA on X
JOHANNESBURG - The Proteas Women beat Australia by 84 runs in the second One Day International to complete arguably their greatest-ever victory in the format.
All-rounder Marizanne Kapp walked away with the Player of the Match honours - proving herself as the most valuable member of the team once again.
She led the way with bat and ball, hitting 75 off 87 balls before dismantling the Australian top order, taking 3/12 – including the wickets of Alyssa Healy, Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney.
The South African team had previously never beaten the Southern Stars in any format in their history, before the current tour Down Under.
Moreover, they were bouncing back from a heavy eight-wicket defeat in the first of the three 50-over matches.
South Africa’s innings on Wednesday got off to a sluggish start as captain Laura Wolvaardt was dismissed for a duck.
A slow run rate, regular wickets and rain delays threatened to hamper the Proteas innings. But Anneke Bosch’s 44, Kapp’s half-century and a late flurry of boundaries in Chloe Tryon’s 37* helped South Africa post 229/6 in their reduced allotment of 45 overs.
The hosts would have fancied their chances up front but a clinical and miserly spell from Kapp had them in trouble on 34/3. The rest of the bowling attack assisted Kapp superbly as Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets each.
A 77-run partnership for the 9th wicket between Ash Gardner and Kim Garth gave Australia some hope but South Africa was able to close out possibly their most significant win.
The third and final ODI is on Saturday before the teams play a once-off test match due to start on 15 February.