South Africa clinched the ODI series by winning the decider by 166 runs. Tazmin Brits was awarded the Player of the Series for scoring 184 runs in three innings with the bat for her side. The caravan now moves on to the three-match T20I series.
The 20-year-old all-rounder Miane Smit was handed her T20I debut cap in the first game of the T20I series against the West Indies.
Tazmin Brits led the charge with her career-best 98* to guide South Africa to a solid total.
The South African openers, Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt, got their side off to a steady start with an 18-run opening partnership, after skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and inserted them to bat first in the 1st T20I at Three Ws Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Jahzara Claxton got the big scalp of the opposition skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, in the 3rd over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for the West Indies.
Jahzara Claxton struck again to remove the dangerous Marizanne Kapp in the 5th over of the innings, providing the second breakthrough for her side. Nadine de Klerk joined Tazmin Brits at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed 71-run partnership for the third wicket to take their side closer to the 100-run mark. Claxton returned and broke the stand by sending Nadine de Klerk (21 off 17 balls) back to the pavilion in the 11th over of the innings, bagging her third scalp of the day, while also providing a crucial breakthrough for her side.
Debutant Miane Smit joined Tazmin Brits at the crease, and the duo took the side past the 120-run mark with a crucial 26-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The experienced leg-spinner Afy Fletcher got the better of the debutant Miane Smit in the 15th over of the innings to provide the fourth breakthrough for the home side. Chloe Tryon partnered alongside the opening batter Tazmin Brits and switched gears en route to their vital 36-run partnership for the fifth wicket, infusing much-needed momentum into the innings, while also taking the visitors closer to the 160-run mark.
An unfortunate run-out ended Chloe Tryon’s (16 off 9 balls) threatening stay at the crease, providing the fifth breakthrough for the West Indies in the 18th over of the innings. South Africa eventually posted a strong total of 183/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Opening batter Tazmin Brits notched up her career-best score in the T20I format, staying unbeaten throughout the innings on 98* (63 balls). Her knock included 9 boundaries and 4 maximums.
Jahzara Claxton (4-0-39-3), alongside skipper Hayley Matthews (4-0-26-0) and Karishma Ramharack (4-0-30-0), were the stand-out performers with the ball for the West Indies. Afy Fletcher (4-0-40-1) and Aaliyah Alleyne (3-0-28-1) picked up a wicket each for their side.
A Remarkable Fightback from Jannillea Glasgow and Chinelle Henry in Vain as South Africa Take the Series Lead
Chasing a massive total of 184, the home side got off to a horrible start, losing Qiana Joseph and Realeanna Grimmond inside the first three overs of the run chase. Wicketkeeper-batter Shemaine Campbelle joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease when their side was in deep trouble at 10/2. The duo led some sort of recovery with a much-needed 32-run partnership for the third wicket.
Marizanne Kapp got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Hayley Matthews (19 off 16 balls) in the final over of the powerplay to provide the third breakthrough for South Africa. The visitors pounced on the opportunity and reduced the West Indies to 49/5 in the 8th over of the run chase, sending Shemaine Campbelle (16 off 12 balls) and Shabika Gajnabi back to the pavilion in quick succession.
Jannillea Glasgow joined Chinelle Henry at the crease, and the pair showed remarkable determination and resilience while also throwing counterpunches en route to their massive 81-run stand for the sixth wicket. Despite the inspiring partnership, the West Indies were eventually restricted to 133/6 in their quota of 20 overs, falling 50 runs short of the target. Chinelle Henry (26 off 32 balls) was impressive, while Jannillea Glasgow notched up her maiden T20I half-century, staying unbeaten on 53* (44 balls) for the West Indies.
Marizanne Kapp (3-0-27-2), Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-0-18-1), Ayabonga Khaka (3-0-19-1), and Nadine de Klerk (2-0-12-1) were the top performers with the ball for South Africa. Chloe Tryon (4-0-23-0) showed impressive control in her spell.
Tazmin Brits was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational match-defining innings (98* off 63 balls) with the bat for her side, playing a pivotal role in helping South Africa take a 1-0 series lead in the three-match series.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.