Momentum Proteas thrash Windies, level series at 1-1

A brilliant, chanceless century from Laura Wolvaardt led the Momentum Proteas to a daunting total of 299-8 and victory by 96 runs after dismissing the West Indies for 203 in the third of four one-day internationals at the Wanderers on Thursday.

Kycia Knight kept the tourists in the run chase with a career-best 69 from 94 balls before offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe had her caught on the long-on boundary, but no other batter reached 20 against a disciplined, incisive bowling attack led by Shabnim Ismail with 4-37.

22-year-old opening batter Wolvaardt reached her third ODI century from just 114 balls with 10 fours, her fastest century and the first since she was a teenager. Her trademark cover drive was well used but there was no limit to the range of shots she played all around the ground against a toiling attack on a hot afternoon.

Wolvaardt added 141 for the third wicket with captain Sune Luus who contributed a measured 56 from 93 deliveries with five fours before she was bowled behind her legs sweeping against veteran offspinner Anisa Mohammad.

Wolvaardt finally fell for 117 from 123 balls (11x4, 1x6) to seamer Chinelle Henry, top edging a pull to mid wicket.

Fellow opener Tazmin Brits got the innings off to a rapid start with four boundaries in her 13-ball 18 before edging seamer Shamilla Connell to ‘keeper Shemaine Campbell and Connell also removed Anneke Bosch (5) courtesy of a superb gully catch from Deandra Dottin.

Chloe Tryon produced a dazzling display of power hitting in the closing overs with two fours and three mighty sixes in her 43 from only 24 balls while Nadine de Klerk, making her first appearance of the four-match series, chipped in with 22 from 15 deliveries.

The innings was halted for 15 minutes when Chedean Nation fell awkwardly attempting a running catch from the mid wicket boundary and had to have her neck stabilised in a brace before being driven off the ground on a mobile stretcher. She took no further part in the match.

The fourth and final match of the series is a day-game starting at 10am CAT (SA, GMT+2) on Sunday.

SOUTH AFRICA: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus (capt), Mignon du Preez, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Raisibe Ntozakhe

WEST INDIES: Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor (capt), Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Shakera Selman, Anisa Mohammed