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Luus, Shangase, and Mlaba star as South Africa levels the series 1-1

rugby14 June 2025 21:29| © MWP
By:CS Chiwanza
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Suné Luus, Nondumiso Shangase and Nonkululeko Mlaba led the charge as South Africa Women registered a 40-run win over West Indies Women in their CG United one-day international at the Three Ws Oval in Cave Hill, Barbados, on Saturday.

South Africa returned a much better performance than they did in their first outing as they mounted a total of 309/9. Nonkululeko Mlaba then had a big say, registering her career-best bowling figures as she helped South Africa bowl the West Indies out for 269 in their chase. The two sides are now tied 1-1 in the three-match series.

Luus and Shangase arrived at the crease 18 balls apart at a time when the visitors were struggling to get runs. Hayley Matthews, the West Indies captain, was subjecting South Africa to trial by spin. Things changed when the duo of Luus and Shangase joined forces to stitch together an 85-run partnership off 69 balls to wrest control from the hosts.

Luus creamed eight fours on her way to 76 off 65 deliveries. This is her 15th ODI half-century, and she faced 49 balls on her way to the milestone. Luus perished in the 43rd over, trying to clear the infield. Unfortunately, the ball was held up in the wind to provide Aaliyah Alleyne an easy catch.

This is Luus' new best score against the West Indies. Her previous best was a brisk 58 she carved in 2018. Her partner, Shangase, recorded a first of her own in the match. The allrounder disrupted the West Indies' plans with her good use of the feet against their spinners and took on the fielders for her 48-ball 55. This is her new career-best ODI score, her previous being 36.

Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon put the finishing touches on the innings with a spectacular display of death batting. Then the bowlers came into the picture. Nonkululeko Mlaba's star shone brightly as she spun her way to a maiden ODI four-wicket haul and career-best figures of 4/33.

Mlaba came into the attack when the hosts needed a breakthrough, and she provided one in a big way. The left-arm tweaker was introduced in the 20th over, and she immediately sent Hayley Matthews packing. The West Indies captain had raced to her eighth ODI half-century and was looking menacing. Matthews fell for 56 off 58 balls.

Mlaba then claimed the prized scalp of the experienced Stefanie Taylor before the seasoned campaigner got going. Laura Wolvaardt, the South African captain, let her catch her breath and turned to her in the death overs, and she accounted for Jannillea Glasgow and Aaliyah Alleyne.

Marizanne Kapp, who was playing in her 150th match, made a handy contribution with the bat, scoring a useful 32 from 29. The allrounder then bagged a couple of wickets, dismissing two dangerous batters, Qiana Joseph, who starred with the bat in the first match, and Shemaine Campbelle, who registered her fifth half-century in the contest.

Shangase also returned an all-round performance. She excelled in the field, where she took a single catch and also claimed a single wicket with her bowling. Ayanda Hlubi, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk also each claimed a wicket.

WEST INDIES: Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Realeanna Grimmond, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Shemaine Cambelle (wk), Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nondumiso Shangase, Marizanne Kapp, Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi.

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