POTCHEFSTROOM - Chloe Tryon and captain Dané van Niekerk played big all-round roles in setting up the Proteas’ resounding, 106-run victory in the opening match of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) five match Women’s ODI series against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Player of the match Tryon, hit nine fours and three maximums to reach 65 from just 42 balls and took 2/15 in five overs. The skipper smashed six boundaries as she scored 44 from 52, following up with an excellent bowling spell where she returned figures of 3/23 as she steered her side towards victory.
The day started with the home side posting an imposing 270/9 at the end of their allotted overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Opener, Lizelle Lee (54) was also among the runs, hitting a half-century which set a solid foundation for her side. Mignon du Preez and Laura Wolvaardt rounded off the day’s most notable batting contributions with their scores of 26.
South Africa were off to a good start thanks to a 67-run opening stand between Lee and Wolvaardt before the latter was clean bowled by Nahida Akter (2/22) in the 13th over. Trisha Chetty lasted 27 minutes for her 23-ball 13 but was trapped in front by Rumana Ahmed (1/38) in the 21st over. Lee soon followed, defeated by a good delivery by right-hand offbreak Salma Khatun in the 24th.
Mignon du Preez and Van Niekerk steadied the ship, batting 10 overs together and amassing 52 runs the fourth wicket before the former became Akter’s second victim.
The hosts were 178/5 after the loss of Van Niekerk to Jahanara Alam (2/62) when wickets began to fall in earnest. Tryon took charge of the tail enders, ensuring that they set formidable target in the end.
The visitors were bowled out for 164. Their reply got off to a rocky start when they lost opener, Murshida Khatun to Marizanne Kapp (1/14) in the second over of their innings but Sanjida Islam (35 off 63) and Fargana Hoque (69* off 146) bounced back well, sharing a 52-run, second-wicket partnership.
Congratulations to Player of the Match, @chloetryon25 for her 66 (42) & 2/15. #ProteasWomen #AlwaysRising #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/bcSoevc4OZ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) May 4, 2018
South African’s captain then proceeded to tear through the rest of the top order, accounting for Islam, Nigar Sultana (6 off 16) and her counterpart Rumana Ahmed (3 off 5) in each of her first three overs.
Raisibe Ntozakhe’s (1/21) offbreaks kept Bangladesh quiet and created pressure. Two run outs resulted, seeing the end of Fahima Khatun (0) and Salma Khatun (2), the latter off Shabnim Ismail’s bowling.
Tryon made quick work of Jahanara Alam (6) and Nahida Akter (0), leaving the tourists limping on 112/9, but a relentless Panna Ghosh did not make victory come easily for the hosts.
The number 11 batter hit 23 from 27, adding 52 runs for the last wicket with unbeaten Hoque before Mignon du Preez removed her, taking her maiden ODI wicket and giving her side victory with three balls to spare.
Match Two will take place at Senwes Park this Sunday, 06 May. Play will start at 09:45.