Wolvaardt masterclass puts India away

By Razeen Gutta

Laura Wolvaardt delivered one of women’s cricket’s all-time great knocks to power South Africa to a dominant nine-wicket win over India in the third T20 international at the Wanderers on Wednesday to seal the series.

Chasing a daunting 193, Wolvaardt dismantled India’s attack with a stunning 115 off 53 balls, striking 14 fours and five sixes.

She shared a 183-run opening stand in just 15 overs with Sune Luus, who finished 64 not out from 42.

Wolvaardt’s century included a record 23-ball fifty, breaking her own previous mark of 24 balls.

She holed out with 15 runs still needed, leaving Tazmin Brits to hit the winning runs.

India posted 192-4 after being sent in to bat.

Smriti Mandhana made 37 and Shafali Verma hit 64 to set a strong platform before Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 66 off 38 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-31 and Nadine de Klerk claimed 1-27 with the ball for the Proteas.

The hosts reached the target with 21 balls to spare, having won the previous two games by six and four wickets respectively.

The five-match series continues at the Wanderers on Friday before ending in Benoni on Monday with South Africa having now claimed an unassailable lead.

Pictured above: Proteas seal series

Source: @proteaswomencsa