A disciplined all-round effort has ensured the Proteas’ ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign is back on track following a comprehensive 80-run victory over Scotland in Dubai on Wednesday.
Laura Wolvaardt’s team had two objectives coming into this crunch tie: firstly, beat the Scots, and then win by a large-enough margin to improve their net run-rate (NRR).
It was mission accomplished on both accounts. The Proteas moved up to four points from three matches, and crucially boosted their NRR to 1.317, compared to the Windies’ 1.154.
Although the batting unit may feel that they left at least 20-30 runs still out there – with Tazmin Brits (43 off 35 balls, 5x4, 1x6), Marizanne Kapp (43 off 24 balls, 6x4) and Wolvaardt (40 off 29 balls, 5x4, 1x6) all making stealthy contributions without either of the trio converting their starts into something really substantial – the Proteas still managed to post the highest score of the tournament thus far as they reached 166/5.
An absorbing first innings in Dubai as South Africa piled on the highest total in this edition of the tournament so far 👏 #SAvSCO #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/gUP8cxV9XG
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 9, 2024
It proved sufficient, with the South Africans’ experience and class with the ball suffocating the T20 World Cup first-timers.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba is certainly enjoying bowling at the Dubai International Stadium.
After a disappointing spell against England in Sharjah, where Mlaba drifted away from the stumps too often, she was back on target with figures of 3/12.
Mlaba now has seven wickets in two matches in Dubai, after claiming a career-best 4/29 in the tournament opener against the West Indies.
Fellow left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon (2/16) was also much improved, deceiving the Scots with her well-flighted deliveries to pouch two caught-and-bowled chances.
However, the catch of the day belonged to former Proteas captain Suné Luus.
Bowling off-spin now instead of her usual leg-breaks, Luus flew to her right to take a brilliant two-handed catch off to dismiss Lorna Jack-Brown.
The wickets keep falling 😏🔥
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 9, 2024
What a catch from Sune Luus 🧨
📺 Stream #T20WorldCup on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/EqVLKXj1vM
It was the perfect riposte after the error-strewn performance against England a couple of days ago, when the South Africans spilled five chances in the field.
Luus’ catch was the pinnacle of a much-improved fielding effort, with Mlaba also holding on to a good diving catch to close out the match.
Wolvaardt was certainly pleased her team could bounce back in such emphatic fashion.
“Can’t ask for more. Great first half, and followed it up with some excellent bowling as well. Excellent all-round (display),” the skipper said.
“We did speak about it (NRR) coming into this game... tough to decide what to do at the toss. We felt the best chance to win the game was to put a lot of runs on the board and restrict them.
“We wanted to be ruthless and show what we are about, and kill it off the way we did. Every day has been different. You can come in with all the plans in the world, but every game has been different.
“Nice to have so many bowling options and all-round options.”
Celebrating another phenomenal bowling performance from Nonkululeko Mlaba! 👏
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 9, 2024
Keep shining, Mlaba! ⚡️🏏🇿🇦#AlwaysRising #WhateverItTakes #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5KrbrBXayo
The Proteas now move ahead to their final round-robin fixture against Bangladesh on Saturday (4pm start), which will determine their semi-final fate.
“Massive game for us. We need a win after losing the last game (against England on Monday),” Wolvaardt stressed.
“Hopefully this game will give us a lot of confidence, and hopefully we can hit the ground running for that game and give us the confidence to put up a good show.”
Proteas: 166/5 (Brits 43, Kapp 43, Wolvaardt 40, Frazer 1/15)
Scotland: 86 all out (Mlaba 3/12, De Klerk 2/15, Tryon 2/16)
Proteas won by 80 runs