SA U19 Women’s captain Kayla Reyneke delivered another stellar performance with both bat and ball, steering her team to a 22-run victory over India U19 'A' in the Youth T20 International (T20I) Tri-Series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.
Reyneke anchored the innings with an unbeaten half-century, helping South Africa set a formidable target of 156/4. She then bolstered her all-round credentials by claiming 2/27 with the ball, supported by Jemma Botha’s economical figures of 2/17. Their combined efforts restricted the hosts to 134/6, earning South Africa their second win in three matches.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the SA U19 Women got off to a steady start. Openers Botha (13) and Simoné Lourens (24) laid a foundation, guiding the team to 37/0 shortly after the powerplay. However, two quick strikes from Sonam Yadav (1/25) and Chandni Sharma (1/24) saw both openers depart, leaving the visitors at 40/2.
Reyneke then joined forces with Chanel Venter to rebuild the innings, forging a vital 84-run partnership for the third wicket. Venter played a brisk knock, scoring 41 off 29 deliveries (4x4, 1x6), before falling to Joshitha VJ (1/30). Reyneke, however, continued to dominate, registering her third Youth T20I half-century. She found further support from Mieke van Voorst (12*), guiding South Africa to a competitive score.
In pursuit of the target, India U19 'A' attempted to counterattack. G Trisha (7), Sanika Chalke (24) and Sasthi Mondal (31) contributed valuable runs, forming partnerships of 25 and 41. However, wickets at crucial intervals, including scalps by Reyneke and Luyanda Nzuza (1/18), alongside a sharp run-out, left the hosts struggling at 71/3 in the 11th over.
Bhavika Ahire (29) and Shabnam (17*) tried to stage a late comeback, but the required rate proved too steep. Ahire became Botha’s second victim after the dismissal of Joshitha VJ (1), sealing South Africa's 22-run triumph.
The win propels the SA U19 Women to the top of the Tri-Series standings with eight points from three games, ahead of India U19 'B' on net run rate, with the latter having played one game fewer.
South Africa will face India U19 'B' in their next fixture on Monday starting at 11.30am local time (8am SAST) at the same venue.
South Africa U19 Women Squad
Jemma Botha (World Sports Betting Western Province), Fay Cowling (DP World Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simoné Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Glencore Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Knights), Diara Ramlakan (DP World Lions), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Diedré van Rensburg (Glencore Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Fidelity Titans)
Fixtures
Monday - Fifth Youth T20I: India U19 'B' v South Africa U19 (Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune)
Tuesday - Sixth Youth T20I: India U19 'A' v India U19 'B' (Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune)
Thursday - Youth T20I Tri-Series Final: First v Second (Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune)
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