IND beats SA: India began their preparations for the Women’s Cricket World Cup with a win as the Mithali Raj-led side thrashed South Africa by two runs in their first warm-up match at The Oval on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, the Indian team suffered an early setback as batting legend Smriti Mandhana walked off the field after being injured by a bouncer from fast bowler Shabnam Ismail.
At the time of Mandhana’s retirement hurt, the left-handed batsman was unbeaten on 12 runs in 23 balls. But the warm-up match did not deter India’s charge as Harmanpreet Kaur scored a century (103 off 114 balls) and top-order batsman Yastika Bhatia scored 58 off 78 balls to take the team to 244/9 in 50 overs.
Yastika batted brilliantly, hitting four fours and a six as she went on to score a crucial half-century in her innings. At the same time, captain Mithali Raj returned to the pavilion without opening the account.
But India’s innings was that of Harmanpreet Kaur, who played a long innings with little risk. The right-handed batsman handled the innings with the lower order and completed his century with the help of nine fours.
Also Read: IND vs SL: Ravindra Jadeja thanked Rohit Sharma for sending to bat at number 4
IND beats SA
Chasing 245 runs was difficult for South Africa. Eventually, the Proteas failed to chase down the target despite the work of captain Sune Loos and opener Laura Wolvaardt. Loos played a professional innings of 86 off 98 balls, hitting shots all around the wicket, despite a slow outfield.
Laura hit two sixes and seven fours for her knock of 83 off 95 balls, with Marijne Kapp scoring 31 off 39 balls.
But the efforts of South Africa’s batsmen went in vain as they could not score eight runs in the last over.
Rajeshwari Gaikwad was the most successful bowler for India, taking 4/46 wickets in her 10 overs. Meghna Singh (1/38), Sneh Rana (1/38) and Poonam Yadav (1/54) were the other wicket-takers for India in the practice match.
India’s next warm-up match in the Women’s World Cup will now be against West Indies at Rangiora Oval on Tuesday.
Brief Scores:
India women’s team 244/9 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 103, Yastika Bhatia 58, Ayabonga Khaka 3/23) South African women 242/7 in 50 overs (Sune Lus 86, Laura Wolvaardt 83, Rajeshwari Gaikwad 4/46).