/ 22 January 2014

SA women claim double victory at world cricket champs

Sa Women Claim Double Victory At World Cricket Champs

The Proteas women beat Pakistan by seven wickets, to pull off a double-win in the T20 segment of the Qatar International Women's Cricket Champions in Doha on Wednesday.

They also secured their place in the final against the same team at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The bowlers once again put their hands up, bundling Pakistan out for 96 in their 20 overs.

Moseline Daniels was the leader of the pack, taking three wickets for 19 in her four overs.

Seventeen-year-old Sune Luus bounced back well in this match, taking 2/10 in her four overs after going for 15 off the only over she bowled against Ireland earlier in the day.

Shabnim Ismail took 2/20, while Marcia Letsoalo chipped in with a single wicket. Pakistan struck early on in the South African reply, removing Trisha Chetty for one at the start of the second over.

Lizelle Lee and captain Mignon du Preez (38) shared a 60-run partnership for the second wicket before Lee was dismissed by Sania Khan for 30. The loss of a wicket did not slow the innings down. Marizanne Kapp (21) added a 31-run, third-wicket stand with her skipper to put the side well on the path to victory, before Du Preez was stumped off Sana Mir in the 12th over.

Wicket intact
Shandre Fritz (1) did not have much to do but keep her wicket intact as Kapp led the chase to a well-deserved victory, with five balls remaining. 

"It's been a long day, but very rewarding for our team," said Du Preez.

"I'm so proud of the professionalism that the team displayed today. Everyone put their hand up, whether they were playing or not, and everyone contributed to the success of the day.

"Lizelle [Lee], Trish [Trisha Chetty] and Kappie [Marizanne Kapp] did really well with the bat and our bowlers did a great job to set up the match for us. Moosie [Moseline Daniels], Shibby [Shabnim Ismail] and Sunetjie [Sune Luus] made sure that the wickets were constantly falling and kept the pressure up all the way to the end.

"I'm also happy to have been able to contribute with the bat and on the field. Nothing makes a captain happier than a solid team effort, and that's what we had today," she said.

Earlier in the day, Lee scored 53 off 52 balls to lead South Africa to a nine wicket victory over Ireland, with 34 balls remaining. – Sapa