A superb century from opener Deandra Dottin helped the West Indies post a formidable total of 234 for three in the first of four one-day internationals against the Momentum Proteas at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday but a third, heavy downpour of rain denied the tourists a deserved victory.
The hosts were chasing an unlikely Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 204 in 29 overs and had slumped to 87 for five in 17.4 overs, well behind the target run-rate but a minimum of 20 overs needed to be bowled in order for a result to be achieved.
Rain also brought a premature end to the West Indies innings after 45.3 of their scheduled 50 overs.
Dottin’s unbeaten 150 came from only 158 deliveries and included 18 fours and four sixes as she added 153 for the third wicket with Hayley Matthews who contributed 51 from 63 balls with four boundaries.
South Africa’s women made a promising start after choosing to bowl first, claiming two early wickets to leave the tourists on 27 for two after the 10-over Power Play.
Opener Rashada Williams was trapped lbw by the extra pace of Shabnim Ismail for just a single and Kycia Knight struggled for her single run from 19 balls before seamer Ayabonga Khaka found the edge and ‘keeper Sinalo Jafta held a low catch.
Captain and record-breaking batter Stafanie Taylor looked in good touch, reaching 12 from 17 balls before being forced to retire hurt with the total on 60 for two.
Dottin inadvertently smashed a half-volley from captain and legspinner Sune Luus straight at her partner at the non-striker's end and Taylor was unable to take evasive action as the ball crashed into her elbow. After several minutes' treatment, it was clear she could not carry on.
Dottin and Matthews were galvanised by their captain’s demise and took a shine to the home team’s bowlers with Dottin hoisting left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba for two sixes over midwicket to give the innings impetus soon after the 30th over.
Matthews pulled seamer Masabatha Klaas to Chloe Tryon on the long-on boundary shortly before the rain ended the innings, leaving Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle (7*) at the crease.
Fast bowler Ismail was comfortably the pick of the home attack with an analysis of 8-2-24-1 although Luus was no less economical with 10-1-29-0.
Opener Tazmin Brits fashioned 33 from 37 balls for the home side and Mignon du Preez belted an unbeaten 19 from only 13 balls with two fours when the game was abandoned after offspinners Matthews (2-28) and Karishma Ramharack (2-18) had claimed a brace of wickets apiece.
All four matches in the series will be played at the Wanderers with the second game, a day-game, scheduled for Monday.
SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Sune Luus (capt), Lara Goodall, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba
WEST INDIES WOMEN: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor (capt), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Kycia Knight, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams