A masterclass from Annerie Dercksen helped the Proteas Women defend a massive 361 at SuperSport Park. Despite a spirited chase from Pakistan, the hosts hold an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the final ODI. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Proteas Women have beaten Pakistan by 16 runs during the second One Day International on Wednesday at SuperSport Park in Centurion, and secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match remaining in the series.
All-rounder Annerie Dercksen led from the front with both bat and ball, winning the Player of the Match award in Centurion, as she led the Proteas Women over the line on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old smashed 90 with the ball and took three crucial wickets to help South Africa to victory, as the hosts looked to defend 362.
Dercksen, bowling with the new ball alongside Ayanda Hlubi (0/61), gave South Africa an early breakthrough, bowling out Muneeba Ali (5) and getting Sidra Amin (9) caught at mid-off by Nondumiso Shangase.
Annerie Dercksen scored 90 runs. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
With the visitors on the back foot, Sadaf Shamas (61) and Ayesha Zafar (75) led the fight back, taking the visitors from 24/2 to 121/3. Following Shamas' dismissal, Zafar would combine for 76 runs with Natalia Pervaiz (27), taking the total to 197/3.
With the game now in the balance, and South Africa looking to break the partnership, off-spinner Shangase was brought into the attack, and the spinner struck twice in her second over as the visitors stumbled to 199/6, losing three wickets for only two runs.
With the game seemingly safe in South Africa’s hands, Pakistan Women’s captain Fatima Sana (52), though nursing a lower back niggle, took the visitors to 280/7, as she helped herself to a seemingly complacent home team’s bowling attack.
Despite the loss, Pakistan Women will give themselves a pat on the back, having scored 345 all out in 49.5 overs.
Earlier, Dercksen led from the front with the bat, carving an entertaining 90 off 68, a knock which saw the right-handed batter smash four maximums and six boundaries.
The 24-year-old combined for 102 run partnership with Sune Luus, whose rich vein of form continued, as she scored 57 off 67, her second successive half-century, following her unbeaten 93 in the first ODI in Bloemfontein.
The lower-order pair of Chloe Tryon (37) and Nadine de Klerk (49) helped push South Africa’s total past the 300-run mark, as the hosts put up a daunting 361/8.
Opening batter Tazmin Brits (77) also had a productive outing in the middle on Wednesday, as she put together a 55-run stand with Laura Wolvaardt (20) at the top of the order, to allow the middle-order to play with freedom.
The visiting bowling attack was led well by spinners Syeda Aroob Shah (2/49), Sadia Iqbal (2/65) and right-arm seamer Fatima Sana (2/72).
However, on the day, the Proteas Women’s batters were just too good, as they set a solid foundation to hosts’ 16-run victory on Wednesday.
Despite the victory, Proteas Women's coach Mandla Mashimbyi will not be entirely happy, particularly with the bowling unit that leaked 24 wides on Wednesday.
Proteas Women: 361/8
Annerie Dercksen 90, Tazmin Brits 77; Seed Aroob Shah 2/49
Pakistan Women: 345 all out
Annerie Dercksen 3/59, Nondumiso Shangase 2/30; Ayesha Zafar 75
South Africa won by 16 runs
Ongama Gcwabe is a prominent sports journalist. Writing for Independent Media as a senior contributor, he is recognised for his expertise in SA cricket.