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South Africa women avoid clean-sweep with consolation victory

by John Pennington Monday 29 February 2016

Trisha Chetty scored 55 off 83 deliveries for South Africa.

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africa Women 235-6 (Chetty 55) beat
West Indies Women 200-8 (Quintyne 40) by 35 runs
Third One-Day International in East London

Led by fifties from Trisha Chetty and Dane van Niekerk, South Africa Women set a target of 236 runs before putting on a disciplined bowling performance to restrict West Indies Women to 200 for eight and secured a 35-run win in the third One-Day International in East London to avoid a 3-0 clean sweep.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. After losing the wicket of Andrie Steyn (21), South Africa managed to post 44 for one in the first powerplay phase.

A 72-run stand between Mignon du Preez (43) and Chetty (55) helped South Africa stabilize and lay a platform for a good total. Chetty completed her fifty in 76 balls.

Handy knocks from du Preez and Marizanne Kapp (39) along with a breezy fifty from van Niekerk (55) helped South Africa post a total of 235 for six in 50 overs.

West Indies were rattled early in their chase and lost Hayley Matthews (2) in the third over. The innings was rebuilt by a 57-run stand between Shaquana Quintyne (40) and Kyshona Knight (18).

However, West Indies lost three quick wickets between overs 19 and 25 and were reduced to 96 for four at the halfway mark.

A 52-run stand for the sixth wicket between Merissa Aguilleira (40) and Shemaine Campbelle (27) provided some home for West Indies but the pair fell in successive overs with 63 runs still needed for a win.

This task proved a tall one for the West Indies lower order and they were restricted to 200 for eight in 50 overs, giving South Africa a 35-run win.

West Indies however were the winners of the three-match series with a 2-1 margin. Chetty was the player of the match.

Despite the defeat, West Indies are just four points behind Australia in the ICC Women's Championship while South Africa are positioned at fourth place with 15 points.