Visakhapatnam: Nadine de Klerk played the innings of her life smashing a career-best unbeaten 84 to snatch a sensational victory for South Africa against India in a Women’s World Cup match that swung dramatically until the final overs. De Klerk’s stunning counter-attack overshadowed a brilliant 94 from India’s Richa Ghosh as South Africa recovered from a disastrous position to chase down 252 with seven balls to spare.
The chase was the fifth-highest in Women’s World Cup history and felt improbable when South Africa collapsed to 81 for 5 in the 20th over. India having posted a competitive total thanks to their own lower-order rescue act seemed firmly in control. However a stoic 70 from Laura Wolvaardt first steadied the ship before partnerships with Chloe Tryon (61-run stand) and de Klerk kept the Proteas in the hunt.
But the match truly turned on its head after Tryon was dismissed with South Africa still needing 41 runs off 25 balls. What followed was a breathtaking display of power-hitting from de Klerk who hammered 39 runs from the next 15 balls she faced including a flurry of sixes and fours to silence the home crowd and carry her team to a memorable win.
Earlier, India’s innings had followed a strikingly similar pattern. After being put into bat openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana gave their side a flying start with 55 in the opening powerplay. During her knock Mandhana also became the highest run-scorer in a single calendar year in Women’s ODIs. However, South Africa’s spinners, led by Nonkululekho Mlaba and Chloe Tryon choked the run flow and triggered a massive middle-order collapse reducing India from a position of strength to a precarious 102 for 6.
It was then that Richa Ghosh stepped up to play a phenomenal counter-attacking innings. First with Amanjot Kaur she added 51 for the seventh wicket. Later she combined with Sneh Rana (33 off 24) to unleash carnage in the final overs. Ghosh was in imperious form taking on the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Thanks to her efforts India plundered an incredible 98 runs in the last 10 overs setting a target that seemed more than enough to defend.
Despite Ghosh’s heroics it was de Klerk who had the final say. Holding her nerve under immense pressure she masterminded a chase for the ages securing crucial points for South Africa and leaving India to reflect on a stunning match that slipped through their fingers.
