West Indies women will be hoping to pull off a win in the final CG Insurance One Day International (ODI) when they play South Africa women tomorrow (Sunday 20th September 2021) at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds in Antigua from 10.00 a.m.
South Africa leads the five-match series 4-0.
On Thursday 16th, opening batter Rashada Williams unveiled a wide range of shots in a determined knock for West Indies Women but the home side could not stave off defeat against the South Africa Women.
The 24-year-old in her fourth international match once again showed enterprise with an impressive innings of 42, but the home team was limited to 150 for 9 off their 50 overs. This came after the Proteas rallied to reach 185 for 6 off their 50 overs, after being asked to bat first.
West Indies Women were in early trouble at 19 for 2 in the seventh over with Reniece Boyce 7 and Sheneta Grimmond 1 back in the players pavilion but made a recovery through Williams who added 29 for the third wicket with Deandra Dottin (22). Williams also added 22 for the fourth wicket with Hayley Matthews (14) and 41 for the fifth with left-hander Kycia Knight (15).
Williams set up anchor with four fours off 90 balls and when she was run out in the 39th over, West Indies Women were 115 for 5 facing a required run rate of nearly seven runs per over, which proved too much in the end.
South Africa’s standing captain for this match and leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk finished with 3 for 23 to be named the CG Insurance Player-of-the-Match.
Also, amongst the wickets, Masabata Klass 2 for 25, Nadine de Klerk 1 for 19, Shabnim Ismail 1 for 29, and Nonkululeko Mlaba 1 for 29.
Sent in to bat after an early morning shower, South Africa Women stumbled initially but recovered to reach their eventual target thanks to an unbeaten 65 with five fours from Mignon du Preez, 30 from Tazmin Brits and 28 from keeper Sinalo Jafta.
They lost the in-form Laura Wolvaardt for one with as many on the board in the second over but rebuilt through Brits who put on 35 for the second wicket with Lara Goodall (8) and a further 21 for the third wicket with skipper van Niekerk (20).
Brits, who struck four fours, perished in the 20th over with South Africa Women on 57 for 3 but the experienced du Preez anchored three key stands to frustrate the home side. Firstly, she posted 31 for the fourth wicket with van Niekerk, then added 30 for the fifth with Chloe Tryon (12) before putting on 63 for the seventh with Jafta.
Bowling for West Indies Anisa Mohammed 2 for 26, Aaliyah Alleyne 1 for 28, Shakera Selman 1 for 31, Hayley Matthews 1 for 33, while seamer Cherry-Ann Fraser was steady, taking her first wicket on debut for 33 from 7 overs.
For the 4th ODI, left-arm spinner Qiana Joseph was rested along with experienced middle-order batter Chedean Nation and off-spinning all-rounder Karishma Ramharack. Wicketkeeper Reniece Boyce and all-rounder Sheneta Grimmond have been added, while another all-rounder Chinelle Henry makes a return to the 13-member squad.
Lead Selector for Women’s cricket, Ann Browne-John said: “The fourth and fifth ODIs will give the selectors an opportunity to have a look at some of the young players who have been on the bench, and this would give a better assessment of the depth of the team.”
She added, “Qiana Joseph, who has been quite impressive with her left arm orthodox bowling and has played all six T20 and ODI matches so far, has been rested for this match. She has definitely been a find for the team. Rashada Williams also competently fitted into the opening batter position. As we prepare for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, the players have these two final matches to dig deep and get some scores and fine tune their bowling.”