Windiescricket.com
In-form Deandra Dottin dominated a pulsating super-over to hand the West Indies women victory, after a topsy-turvy run chase ended in a dramatic tie at the Wanderers.
In pursuit of a meagre 161 in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side due to rain on Monday, West Indies appeared all but beaten after slumping to 83 for six in the 21st over, despite Dottin’s top score of 37.
However, a 54-run, seventh wicket stand between Chedean Nation (35) and Player-of-the-Match Chinelle Henry (26) hauled West Indies back into the contest and put them back on course for what appeared a straightforward win.
The pendulum swung yet again when Henry and new batsman Shamilia Connell (zero) fell to successive deliveries at the start of the 32nd over but Nation put on 21 for the ninth wicket with Shakera Selman (11), to get West Indies within three runs of their target before perishing. Selman pinched a single at the end of the 37th to draw the scores level but then missed a full length delivery from seamer Shabnim Ismail and was plumb lbw.
Once in the super-over, Dottin stamped her authority, plundering 19 runs from the first five deliveries before her partner Hayley Matthews clobbered the final ball over midwicket for six, to leave the visitors defending 25 runs.
Facing a tall order, South Africa Women gathered 15 from the first four balls but off-spinner Matthews finished the over strongly, getting the wicket of Tazmin Brits stumped off the last ball.
“For us, we’re quite pleased. Looking back at the game, it shouldn’t have come down to this but it’s exciting,” said a calm West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor.
“I guess West Indies love a bit of excitement. I’m glad the way we played in the super-over. Deandra and Hayley really played well and then Hayley finished it with the ball.”
West Indies had earlier produced an efficient performance with the ball after opting to bowl first, bundling the hosts out for 160 in the final over. Openers Brits (25) and Laura Wolvaardt (25) posted 53 for the first wicket, and captain Sune Luus arrived at number four to punch a breezy 46 from 52 balls, but South Africa Women lost their last seven wickets for 69 runs.
Matthews (two for 21), fellow off-spinner Karishma Ramharack (two for 37), along with quicks Shamilia Connell (two for 22), Henry (two for 32) and Shakera Selman (two for 47), all finished with two wickets each.
Summarized scores:
South Africa Women160 all out (40.4 overs) Sune Luis 46; Laura Woolvardt 25 Hayley Matthews 2 for 21; Shamilia Connell 2 for 22
West Indies Women 160 all out (37.4 overs) Deandra Dottin 37; Chedean Nation 35
Ayabonga Khaka 5 for 26; Sune Luis 2 for 25