Shabnim Ismail kept her nerve and Ayabonga Khaka claimed a brilliant 5-26 as the Momentum Proteas defended a modest 160 to snatch a remarkable tie against the West Indies in the second of four One-Day internationals at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Monday before the tourists completed a comprehensive win in the Super Over.
Deandra Dottin smashed 19 off the first five balls of the Super Over bowled by Ismail before Rashada Williams hooked the final ball for six to amass a daunting total of 25.
Chloe Tryon slog-swept the first ball from offspinner Hayley Matthews for six to give the home side hope and Tazmin Brits pulled the third ball to the midwicket fence and straight drove the fourth for another boundary but the target was too steep and, despite 17 runs, the home side conceded a 1-0 deficit with two matches to play.
The tourists required just three runs with a single wicket remaining in ‘normal time’ but number 10 Shakera Selman had no answer to the pace of Ismail who trapped her lbw after scrambling two singles and then playing out three dot balls with the scores level.
The Momentum Proteas always looked 20 runs short of a ‘par’ total despite an opening stand of 53 between Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits who made 25 apiece and a fighting top score of 46 from only 52 balls (5x4, 1x6) from captain Sune Luus who dominated the middle overs with an innings of counter-attacking intent.
But no other batter managed to reach 20 as all five West Indian bowlers used claimed two wickets apiece with seamer Shamilla Connell (2-22) and offspinner Hayley Matthews (2-21) the pick.
Opener Dottin added a rapid 37 from only 31 balls (3x4, 2x6) to her career-best 150* in the first game on Friday which was washed out, denying the visitors a deserved victory but she was bowled off the pads by an inswinger from Khaka just as she seemed set to take the game away from the hosts.
A collapse ensued in which Luus claimed two wickets in three balls, including a fine return catch to dismiss Windies' captain Stafanie Tayor for 21.
The tourists were in trouble at 83 for six when Shemain Campbelle (13) was bowled around her legs by a brilliant legspinner from Luus but the game took three more dramatic twists before the conclusion.
Chedean Nation (35) and Chinelle Henry (26) added exactly 50 for the seventh wicket to put the tourists back on track before Khaka struck twice in successive deliveries bowling Henry and trapping Connell lbw first ball.
Even then the West Indies looked likely to scramble to their target until Ismail’s pace meant there would be no winner.
The third match of the series is a day-nighter starting at 2pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) on Thursday.
SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Sune Luus (capt), Lara Goodall, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba
WEST INDIES WOMEN: Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor (capt), Shemaine Campbelle, Chedean Nation, Kycia Knight, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman