Opener Tammy Beaumont produced an unbeaten half-century as England secured a series-clinching six-wicket victory over the Proteas Women in the third ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International (ODI) on Wednesday.
Beaumont struck 10 fours during her 46-ball 65 and, alongside Amy Jones’ unbeaten 49 off 36 balls, guided England to chase down South Africa’s first-innings total of 233/8 in 50 overs. The Proteas’ innings was highlighted by Laura Wolvaardt’s composed 61 off 68 balls, which included nine boundaries.
Asked to bat first in challenging hot conditions, South Africa started strongly with a solid opening partnership between Lara Goodall (17) and Wolvaardt. The pair put on a half-century stand before Lauren Bell (1/46) broke the partnership, dismissing Goodall.
Anneke Bosch (19) joined Wolvaardt at the crease, and the duo combined for another crucial partnership, taking the hosts to 95/1 after 20 overs. Wolvaardt celebrated her 34th ODI half-century before both she and Bosch were dismissed in quick succession by Alice Capsey (2/59) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/26), leaving South Africa at 107/3 in the 23rd over.
Despite contributions from the middle order, England’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Nadine de Klerk (14) was run out, while Annerie Dercksen (13) fell to an LBW decision off Charlie Dean (2/52). At 156/5, Marizanne Kapp (38) and Chloé Tryon (20) stitched together a valuable 42-run stand for the sixth wicket. Both batters, however, were dismissed shortly thereafter, with Ecclestone and Capsey each claiming their second wickets of the innings.
The Proteas faced further setbacks when Masabata Klaas (0) was dismissed by Dean but a critical ninth-wicket partnership between Mieke de Ridder (19*) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (16*) helped propel the hosts to a competitive 233/8 in their allotted overs.
Rain and lightning caused a lengthy delay, reducing England’s chase to 23 overs, with a revised target of 152 runs.
England’s innings got off to a shaky start as Kapp delivered a fiery opening spell, dismissing Maia Bouchier (4) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (0) in the first over. Kapp struck again, clean-bowling England captain Heather Knight (6) to leave the visitors reeling at 25/3 in the fourth over.
With 127 runs still needed, Beaumont found support in Danni Wyatt-Hosge (22), building a 38-run partnership. Beaumont then joined forces with wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones for a match-winning 90-run stand that decisively swung the game in England’s favour.
Beaumont’s composed knock, combined with Jones’ aggressive batting, sealed a six-wicket win and a 2-1 series victory for England.
Spinner Charlie Dean was named Player of the Series for her impressive seven wickets across three matches, including a standout performance of 4/45 in Durban on Sunday.
Proteas Women Test Squad
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain, Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
*Uncapped
Proteas Women Tour against England
Test
15-18 December from 10am
South Africa v England - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
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