KIMBERLEY - The SA women’s cricket team strolled to a straightforward nine-wicket win over Bangladesh women in the third one-day international on Wednesday in Kimberley to take an unassailable 3-0 lead the five-match series.
Chasing a modest 72 for victory, South Africa rode on Lizelle Lee's 44* in 51 balls to reach the target in just 14.2 overs. Trisha Chetty gave Lee company with 15* at the end, while opener Andrie Steyn was earlier dismissed for 12, caught behind off Nahida Akhter.
Steyn and Lee had added 29 runs together, and Chetty then joined Lee for the unbroken second-wicket stand of 43 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s struggles continued as they were bowled out in just 36.5 overs.
Nigar Sultana, the wicket-keeper, top scored with 33* off 97 balls, but she was one of only two batters to reach double-figures in the face of some incisive bowling led by Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp.
Bangladesh were dealt an early blow when Sanjida Islam (one) was caught behind off Kapp in the third over. Fargana Hoque (0) departed on the fifth ball of the same over to leave Bangladesh in troubled waters early on.
The situation worsened – 6/4 – when Khaka dismissed both Sharmin Sultana (three) as well as Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed (one) in the fourth over.
SA clinched a nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third one-day international on Wednesday in Kimberley. Photo: @OfficialCSA on Twitter
Sultana, however, combined with Fahima Khatun to add 19 runs for the fifth wicket, but before they could convert the stand into anything substantial, Khatun (nine) was caught and bowled by Masabata Klaas.
When Jannatul Ferdus (one) was caught behind off Zintel Mali, Bangladesh ran the risk of getting bowled out for a sub-50 score, but Panna Ghosh helped string a 23-run partnership with Sultana and took their team to 49 before Ghosh (12) was caught by Mignon du Preez off Raisibe Ntozakhe.
Bangladesh crossed 50 soon after but the lower order could not put up much of a fight, and Sultana could only watch from the other end. Her innings included three fours.
For South Africa, Khaka picked up 3/16, while Kapp had 2/14, and Mali, Ntozakhe and Klaas returned one wicket each.
The fourth game will be played at the same venue on Friday.