St Johns, Antigua – A below-par batting performance saw the Momentum Proteas lose the third WT20 International against West Indies Women by five wickets on Saturday at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium.
With the convincing win the host level the three-match WT20 series and take some confidence heading into the One Day Internationals.
Coming into the match with an unchanged line up the South African women were no match for their far superior opponents this time around.
Hoping for a positive start like their previous encounter, the Proteas posted a measly 80/9 in their 20 overs after they failed to fire with the bat.
The innings did not get off to a good start with captain Dane Van Niekerk caught behind with the first ball off Chinelle Henry. The top order was then dismantled by the accurate bowling of Aaliyah Alleyne who took the wickets of Lizelle Lee 9 (7) and Marizanne Kapp 0 in the second over leaving the Proteas reeling on 9/3.
The middle-order duo of Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits put up a valiant effort with scores of 23 (37) and 16 (17) respectively as the visitors finished with a total of 80.
The hosts comfortably chased the 80-run target set by the Proteas, who had won the toss and opted to bat first. The glitch in the largely one-sided contest for the hosts were the wicket of Hayley Matthews who had to depart for 7 after being caught at point by Lee off Ayabonga Khaka’s bowling, and a few runouts towards the end of their chase.
After the wicket of Matthews, the experienced Kyshona Knight walked in to join the destructive Deandra Dottin 31 (21). The duo with their 53- run partnership quickly wrapped up proceedings and lead their side to a comfortable victory.
The two teams will now turn their attention to the ODI format starting on Tuesday, 7 August at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.
