ANA Sports Reporter
LONDON, June 26 (ANA) – Mignon du Preez was the toast of the South African team when, in her 100th ODI, she helped the Proteas beat Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Grace Road in Leicester, England, on Sunday.
The former South Africa women’s captain became the first to reach the milestone of 100 ODIs
Shabnim Ismail’s three fours in the 49th over helped South Africa win by three wickets with six balls to spare against Pakistan.
South Africa’s highest-ever successful chase – of 207 – was the perfect gift for Du Preez, who has been a solid team player throughout her career.
Before the start of the game, the South African team got into a huddle to congratulate Du Preez, who started playing ODIs in 1997.
Dane van Niekerk, the current captain, considers du Preez her elder sister for being a mentor both on and off the field, and it shows in the way everyone in the team speaks about the former skipper.
She is South Africa’s leading run-getter in ODIs, and her calmness was crucial in the Proteas not losing control in the middle overs after the openers put on a stand of 114.
Du Preez’s 30 off 40 balls, which included two fours, kept the game in balance and never allowed the required run-rate to go out of control.
After she fell in the 45th over, Sune Luus and Ismail got the job done. – African News Agency (ANA)
