Laura Wolvaardt takes Proteas Women over the line in series whitewash

Laura Wolvaardt hit an unbeaten 70 for South Africa against Bangladesh on Monday. Photo: John Sibley/Action Images via Reuters

Laura Wolvaardt hit an unbeaten 70 for South Africa against Bangladesh on Monday. Photo: John Sibley/Action Images via Reuters

Published May 14, 2018

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An all-round performance by the bowlers and batters, led by Laura Wolvaardt (70 not out), saw the Proteas Women beat Bangladesh by six wickets and achieve their series whitewash target at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Monday.

It is the first time that the hosts have accomplished such a feat in a five-match series.

Shabnim Ismail (3/17) and Marizanne Kapp (2/21) once again showed their experience, leading the bowling attack from the front as they took five wickets between them to restrict the visitors to 166/9 at the end of their allotted overs.

Two run outs and a scalp each from Masabata Klaas (1/30) and Raisibe Ntozakhe (1/43) ensured that Bangladesh did not move over their 3.32 run rate. 

A much improved batting performance and several dropped catches saw half-centuries scored by captain Rumana Ahmed (74 off 123 balls) and Shamima Sultana (53 off 91) as the tourists amassed their highest team total in the series.

The pair also shared an 85-run, fourth-wicket partnership that frustrated the South African bowlers, before Kapp finally struck in the 36th over with the wicket of opener Sultana.

End of the innings: Bangladesh women end on 166/9. It is the first time in the series that they have not been bowled out. Well batted by Ahmed (74) and Shamina Sultana (53). #SAvBAN #ProteasWomen pic.twitter.com/22ErCUXMwN

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) May 14, 2018

It will be a positive that the tourists can take forward as the tour moves into a three-match T20 series starting on Thursday. 

South Africa’s Lizelle Lee and Wolvaardt once again got their side’s batting reply off to a strong start with a 79-run opening stand.

Lee missed out on her third series half-century when she was removed for 44 by Khadija Tul Kubra in the 17th over.

The bowler struck a second time in the over, dispatching wicket-keeper-batsman Trisha Chetty for a duck, leaving the hosts on 79/2 when the skipper Dané van Niekerk walked in.

Van Niekerk and Wolvaardt revived the chase with a 59-run partnership that ended when the captain was stumped for 29 in the 29th over off her counterpart Ahmed.

They’ve done it! It’s 5-0 to the #ProteasWomen. 🔥💚

The @Momentum_za Proteas wrap up the Series in emphatic style as they claim a 6-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the CSA Women’s ODI Series. #AlwaysRising #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/7NRsSMVosj

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) May 14, 2018

Tul Kubra then made quick work of the explosive Chloe Tryon (9), who was also stumped before reaching double figures.

Kapp was unbeaten on nine as she accompanied Wolvaardt over the line, helping her side reach victory with 90 balls to spare.

Tul Kubra was the pick of the bowlers, returning the best bowling figures of the series for her side with 3/37 in her 10-over spell.

The T20 series begins in Kimberley on Thursday.

Cricket South Africa

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