Here, Ongama Gcwabe highlights Five Take-Aways during the Proteas Women World Cup game against Bangladesh Women yesterday.
Kapp-Khaka: The new ball pair
The new ball pair of Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka has been exceptional once again at the ongoing T20 World Cup in Dubai. The duo is very complimentary with Kapp shaping the ball away from the right-handed batter while Khaka swings into the right-hander. Yesterday, the right-arm seam bowlers produced a tidy first powerplay as captain Laura Wolvaardt gave them three overs each with the new ball. Kapp induced the edge off Dilara Akter’s bat and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta took an easy catch to leave Bangladesh on 21/1 in the first powerplay.
Mlaba-Tryon spin affair
The United Arab Emirates is generally known for its spinner-friendly wickets and Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon have taken full advantage of the conditions. Both left-arm orthodox spinners are able to keep the run rate low and control the middle overs brilliantly. Mlaba bowled out Sobhana Mostary, took her tournament wicket tall to nine wickets, the most by any bowler in the showpiece event thus far. She finished with figures of 1-11. Tryon also had a good spell as she finished with figures of 0/19
Dropped catches
The Day/Night games at the ongoing 2024 ICC WOmen’s T20 World Cup have seen several dropped catches, and last night’s fixture between South Africa Women and Bangladesh Women saw more of the same trend. In the Proteas Women’s bowling innings, Ayabonga Khaka dropped a catch at mid-off, dropping her second catch in the tournament. Proteas opening batter Tazmin Brits was also dropped twice in the match, at point and at cow corner, and both chances were relatively easy chances for Bangladesh Women.
Tazmin Brits
Though dropped a couple of times in her 41-ball 42, Brits was able to put on a proper shift for South Africa in a must-win fixture. The opening batter has been able to switch between playing the aggressive role and the accumulator role depending on the match situation. When South Africa lost captain Wolvaardt early last night, Brits held the batting order together and guided South Africa home. Despite her challenges with spin, the right-handed batter did a good job last night as she smashed five boundaries.
Look-ahead
In group B, England Women play Scotland today but the most important fixture in the context of which teams progress to the semi-finals, is the England-Windies fixture on Tuesday. Should the West Indies win by a significant enough margin, they can displace South Africa from the second spot in the group and make it to the semi-finals.