Laura Wolvaardt sizzles in 5th Women’s T20I as South Africa finish series with 4-1 triumph over India

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South Africa Women ended the five-match T20I series against India Women in dominant fashion, defeating the visitors by 23 runs in the fifth and final match at Willowmoore Park. After opting to bat first, the hosts posted a competitive 155/6 in 20 overs, powered by a brilliant captain’s knock from Laura Wolvaardt. In reply, India Women fought hard through Bharti Fulmali and Richa Ghosh, but regular wickets prevented them from building momentum as they finished on 132/8, handing South Africa a deserved 4-1 series victory.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa Women received the perfect platform from skipper Wolvaardt, who played a classy innings of 92 off just 56 deliveries. Her knock included 11 boundaries and two sixes and kept the innings together despite wickets falling at the other end.

Tazmin Brits departed early for just 2, while Annerie Dercksen was dismissed without scoring, but Wolvaardt remained unfazed and stitched together a valuable partnership with Sune Luus, who contributed 23 off 23 balls with two fours and a six. Anneke Bosch added 8, while Chloe Tryon chipped in with 12 from 10 balls.

In the final overs, Sinalo Jafta provided a useful late flourish with 16 off only 8 balls, helping South Africa reach 155/6. For India, Renuka Thakur and Shree Charani were the standout bowlers with two wickets each, while Deepti Sharma also picked up two scalps.

Chasing 156, India Women had a poor start as Shafali Verma fell for just 4 in the opening overs. Jemimah Rodrigues also failed to settle, managing only 1, which left the visitors under pressure early. Anushka Sharma scored 17 from 21 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to steady the innings with 22 off 28 deliveries. However, the required run rate kept climbing, and South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack made scoring difficult.

Fulmali played the most aggressive innings for India, smashing 40 off 30 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, briefly reviving hopes of a comeback. Ghosh added a quick 25 off 15 balls, including three fours and a six, but the lower order could not provide enough support.

India eventually closed at 132/8 in their 20 overs, falling 23 runs short. Nonkululeko Mlaba starred with the ball, claiming 2 for 15 in her four overs, while Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets. Eliz Mari Marx, Chloe Tryon, and Ayabonga Khaka chipped in with one wicket each.

Also READ: Laura Wolvaardt’s brilliant century helps South Africa beat India in 3rd Women’s T20I to seal the series

With this victory, South Africa Women sealed the five-match T20I series 4-1 after winning the first three games by margins of 6 wickets, 8 wickets, and 9 wickets respectively. India Women managed to bounce back in the fourth T20I with a 14-run win, but South Africa returned strongly in the final game to close the series emphatically.

Wolvaardt was deservedly named Player of the Match for her match-winning 92, a captain’s innings that set the tone for South Africa’s success. Her consistency and leadership proved crucial throughout the series as the hosts outplayed India Women in all departments to finish a memorable home campaign.

Also READ: Deepti Sharma’s stellar all-round performance guides India to an emphatic victory over South Africa in the 4th Women’s T20I

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.