Litchfield, spinners thump Proteas ladies

Phoebe Litchfield’s half-century and Australian spinners handed South Africa a damaging 65-run defeat in the opening Group 1 encounter at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.

Litchfield struck a quick 24-ball 50 with nine fours and a six as Australia posted 172 for eight after Sophie Molineux had won the toss and elected to bat first. In reply, the Proteas ladies were completely outdone by the spin from Molineux (3-0-17-2), Alana King (4-0-26-2), Georgia Wareham (2.4-0-13-3) and Ashleigh Gardner (3-0-16-1), dismantled for just 107.

Had it not been for captain Laura Wolvaardt (44) and Nadine de Klerk (25), the margin of defeat would have been far worse with a far-greater net-negative nett run-rate, considering that India are also in this group and only the top two sides going through to the semifinals.

Sune Luus (1) and Annerie Dercksen (4) did little to trouble the scorers, leaving the Proteas struggling on 7-2, however Wolvaardt and De Klerk combined for a rebuilding 41-run stand for the third wicket, giving South Africa some belief that they could make a go of a tricky target.

But, person of the match Wareham clean-bowled De Klerk before Marizanne Kapp was needlessly run out for just 12. Wolvaardt, who faced 39 balls, striking just two fours and a six along the way, looked to kick on but was well-caught in the covers by Wareham from the bowling of Molineux.

Once the Proteas captain departed, the rest of the South African line up faltered, being bowled out in just 16.4 overs.

Earlier, Litchfield had resurrected the Australian innings after Beth Mooney (7) and Georgia Voll (0) had departed early. The third-wicket stand of 37 between Litchfield and Ellyse Perry (36) was vital in giving the Australians the rebuild they needed.

Perry struck four boundaries in her 26-ball innings but it was Annabel Sutherland and Wareham (32) who gave the Australians the defensible total they needed. Wareham struck six fours from 22 balls while Sutherlands single boundary and one maximum, helped push the former 6-time champions close to a total that the Proteas have failed to chase.

The only highlight for the Proteas was Ayabonga Khaka (2-33), Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-22) and De Kler (2-35) with the ball. Problem for the ladies in yellow is that when Wolvaardt struggles, so does the rest of the team.

Australia Women: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (capt), Kim Garth, Alana King.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.