South Africa take title with perfect record
SOUTH Africa took the top spot in the ODI leg of the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge, thrashing Netherlands by ten wickets at North-West University N0.2 Ground in Potchefstroom to notch up their fifth consecutive win.(Scores: South Africa women 113 for 0 (Fritz 61*, Chetty 46*) beat Netherlands women 109 (Rambaldo 21, Loubser 3-27) by 10 wickets)
Netherlands, who were asked to bat, lost their openers cheaply before a 35-run stand between captain Helmien Rambaldo and Marijn Nijman promised to stabilise the innings.
That, however, didn’t happen as a collective bowling effort by South Africa, led by offspinner Sunette Loubser who grabbed three wickets, cut through any resistance from the Netherlands batsmen.
The progress was painstakingly slow and only one among the last six batsmen reached double-figures. Medium-pacer Marcia Letsaolo and 17-year old legspinner Dane van Niekerk took two wickets each, as Netherlands folded for 109.
The South African reply was ruthless, with the openers, Shandre Fritz and Trisha Chetty, dominating the bowlers to finish the game with 32.4 overs to spare.
As a result of their win, South Africa move to No.5 from No.7 in the women’s ODI rankings.
At Witrand: Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 2 wickets
Ireland 211-8, 50 overs (Shillington 78; Fernando 2-15, Siriwardene 2-41)
Sri Lanka 212-8, 46 overs (Dolawatte 74; Delany 3-30, McCarthy 2-26). (ESPN Cricinfo).,