A half-century by Mignon du Preez was enough as a much-changed Momentum Proteas won by 35 runs to defeat West Indies Women in their fourth one-day international match at Sir Viv Richards Stadium on Thursday.
There was an impressive three-wicket haul from captain Dane Van Niekerk (3-23) – while her efforts were well supported by Masabata Klaas (2-25), as Hilton Moreeng’s charges clinched a result that extended the series lead to a 4-0 scoreline in the five-match sequence.
In a relatively low-scoring affair, West Indies Women won the toss and opted to bowl first, and the decision proved worthy as most of their bowlers got the early wickets as the visitors managed 185 for six, which was led by Mignon du Preez's 16th half-century after she made 65 (91 balls, 5 fours).
The other notable batters for the Proteas Women’s innings came from Tazmin Bits and Sinalo Jafta, who contributed 30 (56) and 28* (46) respectively.
The hosts in their chase did not offer much resistance as they lost wickets at key stages of their innings. Following the wickets of the home side’s top order, the fourth-wicket stand of Rashada Williams and Kycia Knight did their best to keep the Windies in the hunt with a 41-run stand, but once they fell, the visitors closed out the victory as they restricted the hosts to 150 for nine, and subsequently won the fourth WODI with one game to go.
The last match of the Proteas tour to the Caribbean will be played on Friday at the same venue.
THE MOMENTUM PROTEAS:Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, Dane Van Niekerk, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba