The Women in Maroon, fresh from a heartbreaking whitewash in both white-ball series against England, are back in the Caribbean to host South Africa for a three-match ODI series, followed by a three-match T20I series from 11th June 2025.
Tazmin Brits fifty, Nadine de Klerk’s cameo guides South Africa to 232/9
The South African openers Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt justified the visiting skipper’s decision to bat first after winning the toss at the Three Ws Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. The pair stitched a solid 73-run opening partnership before the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt (27 off 49 balls), was found short of her crease in the 16th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for the West Indies.
Nondumiso Shangase joined Tazmin Brits at the crease, and the duo took their side closer to the 100-run mark with a crucial 21-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Another run-out ended Nondumiso Shangase’s stay at the crease in the 21st over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the home side. The visitors lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, and they found themselves in trouble at 105/4 in the 25th over of the innings.
Wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta joined Sune Luus at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed 40-run partnership for the 5th wicket, taking them closer to the 150-run mark. Skipper Hayley Matthews broke the stand, by sending Sinalo Jafta (20 off 29 balls) back to the pavilion in the 34th over of the innings, providing the 5th breakthrough for her side.
South Africa eventually posted a competitive total of 232/9 in their quota of 50 overs, their highest total in the Caribbean in the ODI format. Nadine de Klerk’s late flourish (42 off 38 balls) played a crucial role towards the end alongside Ayabonga Khakha (18 off 26 balls). Tazmin Brits (57 off 65 balls) completed her 2nd ODI half-century.
Aaliyah Alleyne (8-1-35-2) and Karishma Ramharack (10-0-44-2) were the top performers with the ball for the West Indies, while Afy Fletcher (10-0-41-1), skipper Hayley Matthews (10-0-44-1), and Jannillea Glasgow (6-0-31-1) played their part with the ball for their side.
Qiana Joseph’s brisk half-century sets the tone for a comprehensive victory
Chasing a target of 233, the West Indian openers Qiana Joseph and skipper Hayley Matthews got their side off to a solid start with a massive 88-run opening partnership. Skipper Hayley Matthews also became the 3rd West Indian to complete 3,000 ODI runs en route to their opening partnership. Ayanda Hlubi got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Hayley Matthews (40 off 44 balls) to provide the first breakthrough for South Africa in the 14th over of the run chase.
Qiana Joseph continued to take the attack to the opposition bowlers as Realeanna Grimmond joined her at the crease. Ayanda Hlubi returned and ended the ominous stay of Qiana Joseph (60 off 58 balls) at the crease in the 18th over of the run chase to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for her side. She completed her 3rd ODI half-century before getting dismissed.
The Proteas fought their way back into the contest by getting a couple of quick wickets, including the big wicket of Chinelle Henry (11 off 10 balls) courtesy of a run-out. The home side struggled at 127/4 with Stafanie Taylor and wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle at the crease. The rains arrived, and the run chase was eventually reduced to 34 overs, and the target was revised to 180.
A couple of handy partnerships (25 off 24 balls) between Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor for the 5th wicket, followed by another vital 27 (22 balls) partnership for the 6th wicket between Jannillea Glasgow and Stafanie Taylor, took the West Indies over the line with four wickets in hand and two overs to spare. Stafanie Taylor (30* off 34 balls) stayed unbeaten to guide her side over the line. Jannillea Glasgow (12 off 14 balls) chipped in with a crucial contribution with the bat for her side.
Ayanda Hlubi (7-1-50-3) was the standout performer with the ball for South Africa. Nonkululeko Mlaba (6-1-22-1) and Nondumiso Shangase (2-0-9-1) played their part with the ball for their side. Qiana Joseph was awarded the Player of the Match for her outstanding innings (60 off 58 balls) with the bat, setting a solid platform alongside skipper Hayley Matthews as the home side takes the ODI series lead.
