A dominant unbeaten knock from Laura Wolvaardt guided South Africa women’s national cricket team to a 23-run win over India women’s national cricket team in the fifth T20I, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 series victory.
Opting to bat first in Benoni, South Africa posted 155/6, with Wolvaardt anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 92 off 56 balls. Her knock capped off a remarkable series in which she amassed 330 runs, the highest ever in a bilateral women’s T20I series.
India’s bowlers had managed to pull things back in the middle overs, with Shree Charani and Renuka Singh picking up two wickets each as South Africa lost momentum after a steady start. However, Wolvaardt’s control ensured a competitive total.
Batting concerns persist despite Fulmali effort
Chasing 156, India struggled to build partnerships and slipped to 38/3 inside eight overs. A 38-run stand between captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Bharti Fulmali provided brief resistance, with Fulmali top-scoring with 40.
However, regular wickets and lack of momentum derailed the chase, as India finished on 132/8. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk were among the key contributors with the ball for the hosts.
While Deepti Sharma showed signs of returning to form during the series, India’s inability to strike early with the ball and inconsistent batting remained areas of concern ahead of upcoming international assignments.
South Africa, meanwhile, head into the T20 World Cup with strong momentum, having showcased both chasing ability and defensive control across the series.
-
Karachi Gas Crisis: Residents Store Cooking Gas in Balloons, Experts Warn of Danger
-
Rekha Gupta flags low representation of women in assemblies, calls for political reform
-
DWP confirms payment changes for Universal Credit, PIP, and other benefits this week
-
Varun Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Returns To OG Release Date After Toxic Delay
-
Liverpool urged to make Michael Olise swap deal bid and seal deal 'at all costs'
