Sublime Tryon steers Proteas women to Tri-Series final win over India

Chloe Tryon notched up her maiden T20 half-century to steer the Momentum Proteas to a five-wicket win against India in the Women's T20 International Tri-Series final at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.

Chasing 110 on a slow East London track, Tazmin Brits slapped a six to get South Africa's run chase under way, but it was short-lived as India took out both openers.

Deepti Sharma struck as Laura Wolvaardt (0) got an inside edge and the ball clipped the stumps.

The Proteas then lost opener Brits, who was caught behind off the bowling of Sneh Rana for eight.

Lara Goodall didn't last long in the middle either as Rajeshwari Gayakwad bowled her for seven.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, Sune Luus got a top edge as she tried to flick the ball but was caught at short third man off the bowling of Renuka Singh for 12.

Newcomer Annerie Dercksen gave away a soft dismissal as she was caught and bowled by Rana (2-21) for eight.

Reeling at 66-5, Tryon shared an unbeaten 47-run partnership with Nadine de Klerk as they started taking the game away from India.

Tryon soldiered the Proteas run chase, bringing up her maiden T20 half-century off just 30 balls. The Proteas vice-captain smashed six fours and two sixes to remain unbeaten on 57 off 32 balls.

De Klerk, who was dropped in the 18th over, made a handy run-a-ball 17 as South Africa won the silverware with a massive six from Tryon with 12 balls remaining.

?? RESULT | #MomentumProteas WIN BY 5 WICKETS

Chloe Tryon's maiden T20i half-century was the glue in the #MomentumProteas innings to chase down the 110-run target and claim the Tri-Series title#SAWvINDW #AlwaysRising #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/PeugD286mV

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) February 2, 2023

Earlier, India were restricted to 109-4 after a brilliant bowling effort from the Proteas.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start after opting to bat first.

Opener Smriti Mandhana advanced down the wicket and was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba for a duck.

Mlaba (2-16) struck once again as opener Jemimah Rodrigues was stumped for 11, walking down the crease, swung and missed, with wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta doing the rest.

4? overs
2? wickets
1?6? runs

Nonkululeko Mlaba is in some serious form ??#SAWvINDW #AlwaysRising #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/sNddRh4rNa

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) February 2, 2023

A 48-run partnership formed between Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur, but boundaries continued to dry up for India.

Kaur, who had been struggling with a back injury, tried to take on skipper Sune Luus (1-22), but missed it completely with Jafta clipping off the bails. The Indian skipper walked back to the dressing room after scoring 21 off 22 balls.

Deol starred for the tourists as she top-scored with 46 off 56 balls (hitting four fours) before she tried to create room but was bowled by Ayabonga Khaka (1-17).

Deepti Sharma contributed an unbeaten 16 as India was restricted to 109-4 on a slow track in East London.

SOUTH AFRICA: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall , Sune Luus (captain), Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba
INDIA: Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Yastika Bhatia, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh