POTCHEFSTROOM – Feeble batting condemned West Indies to their first defeat in the ICC Women’s World Challenge yesterday, when South Africa completed a six-wicket victory.
West Indies women failed to defend a target total of 162, as the South Africans hit the jackpot with 64 balls remaining in the fourth round match at the North-West University.
The result meant that the host nation remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, which concludes tomorrow
Choosing to bat, West Indies women endured their worst batting performance of the competition, and were dismissed for 161 in 46.3 overs.
Some of the West Indies women batters got starts, without carrying on, as Stacy King hit the topscore of 38 from 67 balls, captain Merissa Aguilleira made 28, Shanel Daley added 23, and Stafanie Taylor got 20.
Sunette Loubser, Dinesha Devnarain, and Shabnum Ismail each collected two wickets for the South Africans.
West Indies looked steady at 61 for one in the 14th over, only to lose three wickets – two to Devnarain – to wobble to 61 for four.
West Indies fell away to 93 for six in the 29th over, but Daley, daughter of former Jamaica all-rounder Aaron Daley, helped to beef-up the innings in two stands with King and Tramayne Smartt.
Daley’s dismissal – run out in the 44th over – triggered another collapse that saw West Indies Women lose their last three wickets for six runs in 17 balls.
West Indies’ bowlers were put under pressure early, when South Africa openers Trisha Chetty and Shandre Fritz put on 33 in less than six overs for the first wicket.
After Daley held a return catch to dismiss Chetty for 11, the South Africans continued to coast, and a stand of 62 for the second wicket between Fritz and their captain Cri-Zelda Brits put them firmly on course for victory.
Fritz led the way with 43, Brits made 31, Marizanne Kapp was not out on 25, and Mignon du Preez got 22.
Taylor was the West Indies’ most impressive bowler. She snared du Preez in 9.2 overs that cost just 19 runs. (CMC)
