2nd ODI, Potchefstroom, December 20, 2023, 05:30 PM
222/4(50.0ov)
223/2(45.1ov)
South Africa Women beat Bangladesh Women by 8 wickets
That is it then from this game and the three-game ODI series between South Africa Women and Bangladesh Women is deadlocked at one game a piece. The 3rd and final ODI of the series will be played on Saturday, 23 December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni and will begin at 5.30 IST (12 pm GMT). Cheers!
The skipper of South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt says that her side did much better in all departments in this game. Mentions that the bowlers started well and it was a good job to restrict Bangladesh to a lower total. States that her discussion with Tazmin Brits was to bat time and bat for as long as they could. Also says that to collect two points is nice and they have all to play for in the decider. Ends by saying that they have started to do the right things and they will reflect on what they did right in this game.
Nahida Akter, the vice-captain of Bangladesh Women comes in for a chat. She starts by saying that she doesn't know much about the injury and the physio is checking on the captain. Adds that the plan was to put on at least 220 runs on the board and then bowl well which is their strength but that didn't happen. Ends by saying that they will come back harder in the next game and look for the win.
Anneke Bosch is the Player of the Match for her scintillating batting. She says that the plan was to stick around there. Adds that they were in a similar situation in the last game but could not see it through then. States that the wicket was not too difficult as compared to the previous ODI. Further adds that the odd ball kept low a bit. She shares that it was special to get the fifty, and she is hungry for runs as all batters are.
The Presentation ceremony...
Eariler in the game, Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to field first on a hot day and the South Africa Women bowlers were made to toil a bit at the start of the game. A couple of breakthroughs did come between overs 11 and 20 but Fargana Hoque stood tall for Bangladesh Women and led their batting. They simply couldn't shift gears quickly but towards they end, they gave it a real effort. Hoque ended up with her second ODI ton, the only Bangladeshi woman to have two ODI tons whereas no one else even has one. Fahima Khatun played a brilliant knock of 46 off 48 balls but the standout for the hosts was Marizanne Kapp who came back into the side and straightaway showed her class. Coming to the chase, it was fairly simple and even though the hosts had a hiccup in the middle phase, the visitors simply weren't aggressive enough and South Africa Women got over the line with ease.
Bangladesh Women will be a tad disappointed with that effort but will be more concerned with the state of their talismanic skipper, who left the field on a stretcher due to a knee injury. They bowled well upfront and kept things tight but failed to pick up a wicket. They did get a big opening when Ritu Moni and Fahima Khatun struck on consecutive deliveries but couldn't capitalize and some conservative field settings allowed the new batters to knock the ball into the gaps and have it their way. In the end, they were thoroughly beaten and will have to bounce back in the final ODI.
A statement victory from South Africa Women as they have come back from the misery of the last game to level the series and force a decider. Needing 223 runs to get on a sluggish surface wasn't going to be simple but the opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits ensured that they kept wickets in hand inside the first Powerplay and then built on it. The skipper looked really good and notched up a half-century and her partner at the other end too managed to bring up her maiden fifty. The pair added 106 runs before both of them got out and they had to rebuild yet again. Experienced campaigner Sune Luus and Anneke Bosch then took up the mantle and kept on ticking away. Once they got settled, Bosch unleashed her shot-making ability ending up on an unbeaten 65 off just 63 balls. Luus supported her really well and the pair remained unbeaten to take their side over the line.
In over# 46
2
Rabeya Khan 43/0(8.1)
45.1
2
THAT'S IT! South Africa Women get over the line! Rabeya Khan gives the ball air and bowls it full, around off, Sune Luus reaches out and drags the slog sweep between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs. South Africa Women win by 8 wickets and have drawn level in the series!
In over# 45
1
1
4
1
1
1
Nahida Akter 45/0(9)
44.6
1
This is bowled flatter and shorter, on off, Sune Luus goes deep in her crease to access the off side but gets an inside edge that rolls past the stumps towards short fine leg for a single. South Africa Women are 2 runs away now!
44.5
1
Bowls this one quicker, on off, Anneke Bosch pushes it wide of extra cover and gets to the other end.
44.4
4
FOUR! Top shot and South Africa Women get even closer to the win! Nahida Akter offers flight and width outside off, Anneke Bosch waits for the ball to arrive and gets the weight on the front foot to smack it towards wide long off for a boundary. South Africa Women need more 4 runs now!
44.3
1
Coming in the with the angle, fractionally short and on the pads, Sune Luus stays back in her crease and nudges it to short fine leg for a quick single.
44.2
1
Darts this one back in, on middle, Anneke Bosch gets on the front foot and knocks it to long on for a single.
44.1
1
Tosses it up, on off, Sune Luus winds up and drills it hard towards long off. They do think about pushing hard for the second run but in the end, settle with a single.
In over# 44
0
1
5wd
1
4
0
1
Fahima Khatun 44/1(9)
43.6
.
Loops it up now, turning away, on off, Anneke Bosch looks to stab this one on the off side but gets an inside edge back onto her right shoe.
