December 4, 2024

Kapp and Dercksen Shine in South Africa’s Dominant Victory

Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen led the way for South Africa in the opening match of the women’s ODI series against England, securing a six-wicket victory in Kimberley. The allrounders combined to take six wickets, dismantling England for 186. Kapp and Dercksen each contributed three wickets, setting the foundation for the win. South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 59, supported by vital contributions from Kapp, Dercksen, and Nadine de Klerk. This well-rounded performance allowed South Africa to go 1-0 up in the series with 70 balls to spare.

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Kapp Shines with Ball and Bat as South Africa Chases Down England’s Target

After being rested from the previous T20I series, Marizanne Kapp made an immediate impact, taking three wickets in her first four overs and reducing England to 29 for 3. The pressure continued as England collapsed to 77 for 5 and later 106 for 7 by the 26th over. However, Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone counterattacked with an eighth-wicket partnership of 67 off 64 balls, propelling England to a competitive total.

South Africa started their chase confidently when Tazmin Brits struck three fours in an over from Lauren Filer. But her innings came to an abrupt end when she was given out lbw to a length ball from Lauren Bell that struck her thigh pad after a failed sweep-pull attempt. Brits wanted to review the decision, but with Hawk-Eye down, the DRS was unavailable. Despite this setback, South Africa’s batting found more success against Bell and Filer, particularly when the ball was pitched fuller, reaching 38 for 1 after six overs when spin was introduced.

Dean’s spin created a breakthrough, trapping Sune Luus lbw without a review option, leaving her visibly frustrated. The challenging pitch conditions, made worse by the heavy roller, made the target seem daunting at that point.

Annerie Dercksen eased the tension with an aggressive start, scoring three fours in her first eight balls. Her innings stabilized South Africa’s chase and allowed captain Laura Wolvaardt to play more cautiously. Dercksen and Wolvaardt added 54 runs for the third wicket before Dercksen was caught at deep square leg by Tammy Beaumont off Filer’s short delivery.

Kapp then took charge with the bat, scoring a rapid 22 off 22 balls, including three fours and a six. She punctuated her innings with a cut past backward point and hit Filer for a four and a six to accelerate the chase. Meanwhile, Wolvaardt reached her half-century off 92 balls. Kapp’s departure left South Africa 51 runs away, but Wolvaardt, with an unbeaten 59, and Nadine de Klerk, who smashed an impressive 48 off 28 balls with 11 fours—the most by any player in the match—completed the chase. Notably, South Africa also managed to keep Sophie Ecclestone wicketless for ten consecutive overs in an ODI for the first time since March 2022.

Early Breakthroughs and Late Fightback Fall Short as England Lose at Kimberley Oval

England suffered an early setback when Maia Bouchier was ruled out with a neck sprain she sustained while batting in the nets. This forced Sophia Dunkley to open alongside Tammy Beaumont after England chose to bat. Beaumont had a lucky escape on her first ball when she edged Marizanne Kapp, but wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta couldn’t hold onto the catch. However, Kapp and Jafta soon celebrated as Dunkley gloved a delivery to Jafta on the final ball of the first over.

Kapp maintained pressure with the new ball, partnering with Ayabonga Khaka to deliver 11 consecutive dot balls. Beaumont shifted gears, charging Khaka to flick a shot over midwicket, surpassing Claire Taylor to become England’s second-highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs and joining the top ten run-getters in the format. But her innings ended abruptly when, in the next over, she charged at Kapp, misjudged the delivery, and was bowled.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge carried on her strong form from the T20Is, hitting a few boundaries before being trapped lbw by Nadine de Klerk. Amy Jones briefly helped England recover as spin was introduced, but Dercksen—preferred over the more experienced Anneke Bosch—struck quickly, inducing Jones to miscue a pull shot. Chloe Tryon’s stunning diving catch at deep backward square leg sent Jones packing. Nonkululeko Mlaba, who had earlier twisted her ankle, then dismissed Alice Capsey lbw.

Heather Knight, in an attempt to anchor the innings, cautiously assessed the pitch and hit five boundaries, using her feet effectively against the seamers. However, her paddle shot against Mlaba led to her downfall. England seemed poised for a low score, but Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone added a crucial partnership, England’s third-highest for the eighth wicket in ODIs. The stand was finally broken when de Klerk produced a remarkable leaping catch at backward point to dismiss Ecclestone off Dercksen’s slow ball.

Despite this spirited fightback, England’s efforts fell short, marking their first loss on the tour and their debut international match at the Kimberley Oval.

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