Khaka heroics spur South Africa

Rachel Scholes and Fiona Urquhart biffed big sixes for Scotland, and Kari Anderson, its former player-coach, brought up a fifty. But an incredible spell of 2 for 9 in 10 overs from Ayabonga Khaka, which headlined a special bowling effort from South Africa, wrapped up the international side’s six-wicket victory in the teams’ Group B ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday (February 8).

Choosing to bat first, Scotland managed to last 50 overs, but found runs hard to come by, finishing on 142 as it was bowled out off the last ball of its complement. Dane van Niekerk’s side took its time in the chase, needing 33.1 overs to get to 142 for 4.

Shabnim Ismail and Khaka, South Africa’s pacers, proved to be a handful, giving away just 27 runs in the first ten overs. Khaka would bowl six maidens in her quota. The big-hitting Scholes scored 10 off consecutive balls to end an extended boundary drought and Urquhart targeted the on-side, but both fell trying to accelerate.

Anderson, who struck five boundaries in her 50, stuck around for 119 balls, but received no support at the other end that would allow her to step up a gear or two.

Only one of South Africa’s six bowlers conceded more than four an over. Ismail finished with three wickets while Khaka and van Niekerk had two each.

Single-digit scores for Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez meant South Africa couldn’t get the start it would have liked, Scholes continuing her contribution to the game with two great catches.

The Scotland bowlers kept the batters honest. Trisha Chetty and Chloe Tryon adopted a risk-free approach until the 33rd over when Tryon, South Africa’s player of the match in the opening game, took Scholes for 14 runs to draw the scores level and hasten the finish.

Scotland will be back in action on Friday against Bangladesh, while South Africa takes on the same side a day later.