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A commanding all-round performance by the Proteas Women secured a six-wicket victory over England in the first ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) One-Day International at the Kimberley Oval on Wednesday.
Marizanne Kapp (3/24) and Annerie Dercksen (3/16) shared six wickets between them, restricting England to 186 all out. Captain Laura Wolvaardt’s composed 59* off 114 balls (7 fours) and Nadine de Klerk’s explosive 48* off 28 balls (11 fours) guided South Africa to a comfortable win with 70 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
After winning the toss, England opted to bat under the sweltering Kimberley sun. However, their decision quickly backfired as Kapp tore through the top order, dismissing Sophia Dunkley (4), Tammy Beaumont (11), and the in-form Nat Sciver-Brunt (0) to leave the visitors struggling at 29/3 after seven overs.
De Klerk (1/32) then added to England’s woes, removing Danni Wyatt-Hodge (11) three overs later. England captain Heather Knight (40) and Amy Jones (21) attempted to stabilise the innings with a 27-run partnership before Dercksen dismissed Jones.
Wickets continued to tumble, with Alice Capsey (8) and Knight falling in quick succession to Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/47), leaving England teetering at 106/7 by the 26th over.
A spirited 67-run eighth-wicket stand between Charlie Dean (47*) and Sophie Ecclestone (17) offered some resistance. However, Dercksen struck twice to remove Ecclestone and Lauren Filer (1), while a run-out accounted for Lauren Bell, ending England’s innings at 186 in 38.4 overs.
In response, South Africa began positively despite losing opener Tazmin Brits early to Lauren Bell (1/30). Wolvaardt and Suné Luus (7) steadied the innings, taking the score to 46/1 by the end of the powerplay. Luus was dismissed LBW by Dean (1/49) shortly after.
Wolvaardt then formed a crucial 59-run partnership with Dercksen, who contributed a career-best 27, pushing the hosts to 105/3 in the 25th over. After Dercksen’s dismissal to Filer (1/45), Wolvaardt teamed up with the experienced Kapp (22) to edge closer to the target.
Kapp’s departure with the score on 136/4 brought de Klerk to the crease. Her aggressive knock, featuring 11 boundaries, ensured a swift finish as she and Wolvaardt guided South Africa home in the 39th over.
The second ODI will double as the fourth annual Black Day ODI, raising awareness against gender-based violence.
It is scheduled for Sunday, 08 December, at 10h00 at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
(Source: CSA)
