Live: South Africa bowlers shine to set up target of 119 against West Indies

South Africa v West Indies, Match Centre

Stafanie Taylor’s gutsy 44* steered West Indies to a modest but defendable first innings total in Dubai, steadying the ship for her team while wickets tumbled around her.

An impressive bowling showing from South Africa left them needing 119 to win the Group B contest, with Marizanne Kapp taking the big wickets of Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, and Nonkululeko Mlaba returning the pick of the figures with 4/29.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field in Dubai, and they picked up key scalps in the powerplay, removing both openers.

It was the experienced Marizanne Kapp who bagged the prized scalp of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who edged behind for 10, prompting jubilant celebrations.

And fellow opener Qiana Joseph struggled to get going, before being cleaned up by Nonkululeko ‘Lefy’ Mlaba for a scratchy 4 from 14.

West Indies ended the powerplay on 31/2, with the experienced pair of Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor at the crease.

Kapp returned for her third over to prize out the dangerous-looking Dottin, who had found the boundary three times before departing for 13(11), but West Indies recovered well through Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle, who steadied the ship with a 30-run partnership.

But it was the class of Mlaba that kept West Indies in check, with the diminutive spinner picking up two in two balls to remove Shemaine Campbelle (17) and Chinelle Henry (0), and returning to snaffle the wicket of Aaliyah Alleyne too.

Mlaba finished with figures of 4/29 – returns that were even more critical given a hand injury that prevented Sune Luus from bowling her full allocation.

Zaida James (15* from 13) joined Taylor to steer West Indies to a total of 118/6 from their 20 overs, with Taylor hobbling from the field after a innings-saving knock in high temperatures under the Dubai afternoon sun.

After an exciting start to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Sharjah, which saw Bangladesh secure their first win in 10 years and Pakistan stun Asian Champions Sri Lanka, the action moves to Dubai – where India take on New Zealand in the evening match that follows this game.

Playing XIs

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinolo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell