Trading Places

Coming into this match, India looked the more likely of the two to take a semi final spot. Following this match and the positions have completely reversed, so much so that India’s chances of making the final rest entirely upon them defeating Australia in the final Pool match.

It was under cloudy skies at Old Trafford where India’s Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first. It was a steady innings with plenty of starts but no player went on with it, Shafali Verma top scoring with a modest 31. The ultimate score of 158/7 while competitive, was still short by 10-20 runs.

South Africa had made the choice to bring Tazmin Brits back to partner Laura Wolvaardt at the top of the order. A year agao they were the most dominant opening pair in the game. A loss of form saw Brits out of the team, replaced by Sune Luus, only for that to be reversed and a good thing for the Proteas as Brits scored a typically belligerent 40 runs.

South Africa lost Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen inside the Powerplay, but Brits was joined by Marizanne Kapp (81*) and the pair set about rescuing the innings, but the run rate continued to climb. India had their chances. They dropped Kapp twice. Even so, it wasn’t until two sixes by Kapp off Deepti Sharma‘s bowling in the 19th over that South Africa could feel safe. Chloe Tryon edged the first ball of the 20th over to the boundary and South Africa won a critical match by 6 wickets.

Marizanne Kapp won the Player of the Match for her match winning innings of 81 not out, surprisingly her highest score in T20 Internationals. She also took 2-27 with the ball which included the prize wicket of Smriti Mandhana.

Both teams remain in the hunt for a finals berth, but three does not go into two. South Africa’s path from here is a little easier than India’s. Both have four points with two games to play. South Africa play the Netherlands and Bangladesh, two matches they would be expected to win, and at the same time, improve their NRR. The prediction for the Proteas is 8 points and a better NRR than they have at present.

India on the other hand, also have two games, one against Bangladesh which is likely to be a win, and then their final game against Australia, which could go either way. If they beat Australia, India will be in a three way tie on four points and it will be decided on NRR. If they lose, their World Cup is over.

Scores

India 158/7 (Shafali Verma 31, Marizanne Kapp 2-27, ) lost to
South Africa 161/4 (Marizanne Kapp 81*, Tazmin Brits 40, Shree Charani 3-24) by 6 wickets

POTM: Marizanne Kapp