South Africa ended India’s unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s World Cup

Lahore : Dane van Niekerk starred with the bat and ball as South Africa ended India’s unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s World Cup and enhanced its own chances of securing a spot in the semifinals.

South Africa defeated India by 115 runs in Leicester thanks largely to captain Van Niekerk who took four for 22 and scored 57 runs.

Lizelle Lee scored 92 as South Africa compiled 273-9 from its 50 overs.

In reply, India was always struggling with Deepti Sharma top scoring with 60, as it was bowled out for 158 in 46 overs.

In the day’s other game, Sophie Devine hit a brilliant 93 off 41 balls, including a record nine sixes, as New Zealand scored a facile eight-wicket win over Pakistan.

Pakistan is now out of contention for the semifinals after losing five games.

Captain Sana Mir hit 50 as Pakistan was bowled out for 144 with Hannah Rowe taking three for 22.

New Zealand’s strong batting line up was able to score the runs it needed in just 15 overs with Amy Satterthwaite supplementing 38 to Devine’s 93.

The win strengthened New Zealand’s chances of making the semifinal as it moved up to third position in the eight-team round-robin league.

South Africa v India

Van Niekerk excelled with both bat and ball as her South Africa side recorded an emphatic victory.

A half-century for the skipper and 97 for Lizelle Lee saw South Africa post a challenging total before a dramatic collapse at the crease saw India lose five wickets in 27 balls.

More followed in quick succession as Sharma recorded a half-century in the only highlight of the innings for India. “I just felt like taking it deep. I know their game well enough to know I can take it away,” said Van Niekerk. “I just stuck to my plans and today it came off. We said we wanted it, and we did that. It wasn’t as clinical as I hoped. “Everyone chipped in and it was a brilliant team performance.”

After an early departure for Laura Wolvaardt, Lee ensured total South Africa domination in the early stages, hitting nine boundaries within the opening 10 overs on her way to clinching her 12th ODI 50.

She was eventually bowled leg before wicket for 92, after which India’s bowling slowed the pace of its opponents’ scoring down, adding two more dismissals within 28 balls. Van Niekerk then produced a half-century to add to India’s woes.

A difficult start to the innings saw India lose Smriti Mandhana in the second over, before three wickets in five balls – including a golden duck for India captain Mithali Raj – extended the deficit.

Three more were quickly dismissed within 24 balls, but India managed to hold out for 46 overs.

New Zealand v Pakistan

New Zealand also strengthened its chances with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Pakistan.

That was due to some stunning hitting from Devine, striking a record nine sixes in her 93 from 41 balls, as the White Ferns comfortably chased 145.

Hannah Rowe led the way with the ball, taking three for 22 on tournament debut, including the dismissals off successive balls of Javeria Wadood and Marina Iqbal, both leg-before wicket as Pakistan was bowled out for 144.

She wasn’t the only White Fern to deliver an exemplary performance with the ball however as all contributed to the cause, notably teen leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek, who all took two wickets.

Sana Mir made 50 on her 100^th ODI appearance, becoming the first Pakistan player to reach the three-figure landmark.

Chasing 145, New Zealand lost Rachel Priest early to Diana Baig, but that opened the door for Devine to free her arms, hitting maximum after maximum in a chase that ended with 35 overs to spare.

Rowe said: “It was pretty exciting, my mum and dad were here and a couple of my flat-mates, so it was pretty awesome to have that support from home. “I was stoked to get out there. I’ve been going through a few changes with my bowling, been working with Jacob Oram and it’s coming through. “I think every pace bowler wants the new ball and I’m certainly putting it in the right areas and looking forward to more.”

Scores in brief:

South Africa beat India by 115 runs at Grace Road, Leicester

South Africa 273-9, 50 overs (Lizelle Lee 92; Dane Van Niekerk 57; Ayabonga Khaka 2-33; Dane Van Niekerk 4-22; Sune Luus 1-27)

India 158 all out from 46 overs (Deepti Sharma 60; Jhulan Goswami 43; Shikha Pandey 3-40; Harmanpreet Kaur 2-18; Ekta Bisht 2-68) 

Player of the match – Dane Van Niekerk (South Africa)

Next matches – South Africa v Sri Lanka, The County Ground, Taunton, 12 July; India v Australia, Bristol County Ground, Bristol, 12 July

New Zealand beat Pakistan by eight wickets, at Taunton

Pakistan 144, in 46.5 overs (Sana Mir 50, Bibi Nahida 18, Ayesha Zafar 17, Iram Javed 14; Hannah Rowe 3-22, Amelia Kerr 2-27, Lea Tahuhu 2-35, Leigh Kasperek 2-35)

New Zealand 147-2, in 15 overs (Sophie Devine 93, Amy Satterthwaite 38 not out; Diana Baig 1-28, Nashra Sundhu 1-33) 

Player of the match: Hannah Rowe (New Zealand)

Next matches: Pakistan v West Indies, Grace Road, Leicester, 11 July; England v New Zealand, The County Ground, Derby, 12 July

Points Table

 

TEAM	PLAYED	WON	LOST	NR	POINTS	NRR
Australia	4	4	0	0	8	1.35
India	5	4	1	0	8	0.26
New Zealand	5	3	1	1	7	2.30
South Africa	5	3	1	1	7	1.45
England	4	3	1	0	6	1.50
Sri Lanka	4	0	4	0	0	-1.16
Pakistan	5	0	5	0	0	-2.42
West Indies	4	0	4	0	0	-2.70