South Africa thump Thailand in T20 World Cup

The Protea women's team secured a comfortable win against Thailand in Canberra on Friday. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Protea women's team secured a comfortable win against Thailand in Canberra on Friday. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Published Feb 28, 2020

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JOHANNESBURG – Lizelle Lee’s maiden T20 International hundred laid the platform for a comfortable win for South Africa against Thailand in Canberra on Friday.

The big hitting opener blasted 101 off only 60 balls as South Africa picked up a second win in the T20 World Cup and remained on course for a spot in the semi-finals. Lee clubbed 16 fours and three sixes, helping the Proteas to the highest total at a T20 World Cup, eclipsing the previous record of 194/5 set by India at the previous tournament in the Caribbean two years ago. 

Lee and Sune Luus, who was promoted to no.3 after Marizanne Kapp was left out of the starting team because of illness, shared a partnership of 131 for the second wicket. Luus finished the innings not out on 61, the innings taking just 41 balls and including five fours and two sixes. 

Both South African batters took advantage of some poor bowling by the Thais, playing in their first World Cup. There were too many full tosses and for Lee, whose strength is hitting through and over the off-side, too many wide balls were offered up. 

Wasn’t she just brilliant today? 😍

Lizelle Lee is named the Player of the Match after this important #T20WorldCUp Pool B victory over Thailand.

She notched up 101 off 60 balls, including 16 fours and three sixes. #SAvTHA #AlwaysRising #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iKwvkJu9hc

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 28, 2020

Although Thailand were never going to chase 196, South Africa let themselves down badly in the field, dropping three catches - none of which were difficult - while some of the ground fielding was sloppy. 

Although the overall standard in the field was poor, there were a couple of highlights, including Trisha Chetty’s work behind the stumps that included a couple of stumpings, some good catches and a very sharp run out. Laura Wolvaardt helped Nonkululeko Mlaba pick up her first international wicket with a candidate for catch of the tournament, diving full length to her right and holding onto a catch one-handed in the covers. 

South Africa next faces Pakistan in Sydney on Sunday morning SA time. 

Scores on Friday:

South Africa 195/3

Thailand 82

SA win by 113 runs. 

@shockerhess

 

IOL Sport

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