The brilliant and disturbing Saltburn has brought Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder On The Dancefloor' back into the public's consciousness and on Saturday there was a murder at a baking Adelaide Oval as Australia put South Africa to the sword.
Their comfortable eight wicket One-Day International victory was secured in a mere 19 overs after the Proteas Women were dismissed for a paltry 105, their lowest ODI score against Australia.
The visitors started slowly and it only got worse from there, with Marizanne Kapp the only shining light in a dismal batting effort.
Her unbeaten 50 off 58 balls came at a price though as the start allrounder was hit on the elbow by a throw from the boundary as she came back the second run to secure her 13th ODI half-century and was unable to continue batting and didn't join the rest of her team when it came time to field.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt was the first to go when she chased a wide delivery from Megan Schutt, playing her 200th game for Australia, and was caught at point by Georgia Wareham.
Schutt finished with figures of 1/1 from five overs to set the tone on her homeground.
Anneke Bosch followed soon afterwards for the first of South Africa's three ducks on the day with Tazmin Brits (4) also back in the changeroom before the eighth over was completed as the Proteas were reeling at 9/3.
Sune Luus hung around for a while but Annabel Sutherland (1/22) soon had her out of the scorching heat for six off 21.
Chloe Tryone played with some intent, which was nice to see, but that is also what cost her, her wicket as she was caught short of the boundary by Sutherland off Ash Gardner (1/12) for 10.
Kapp was going great guns and needed someone to stay with her to try and put a decent target on the board and she found that partner in Nadine de Klerk until she had to retire with the score on 93.
Kapp hit eight fours during her time at the crease and looked to be batting on a different pitch to her teammates.
Hopefully the injury doesn't keep her out for too long as she is vital to a team that still has two ODIs to play as well as a Test match to look forward to.
They won't want to take on the Aussies without their linchpin.
Sinalo Jafta (0) and De Klerk (18) were both trapped in front by leggie Alana King (3/19) before Kim Garth (2/18) castled Nonkululeko Mlaba (0).
Ayabonga Khaka was last out, caught by Wareham to give King her third wicket of the day.
South Africa needed early wickets to have any chance of defending their poor total and should have had Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy LBW in the second over but a half-hearted appeal meant that the umpire kept her finger down when a review showed that she was plumb in front.
Klass (1/22) did make the first breakthrough in the eighth over when Phoebe Litchfield (12) lunged at a wide ball and was caught behind by Jafta but at 38/1 the home side were already well on top.
Healy (19) fell to De Klerk (1/19) going for a big pull and getting a top edge to Jafta but the sublime Beth Mooney (52 off 34) and Ellyse Perry (16 off 33) saw Australia home with ease as South Africa's miracle failed to materialize.
South Africa will have to come up with a better plan against the Australian new ball bowlers soon as the teams face off again on Wednesday (5.40am).
Comments