In a thrilling encounter that showcased resilience, flair and a fierce competitive spirit, South Africa Women pulled off a narrow win against West Indies Women in their recent encounter, keeping fans glued to their seats till the last ball.
A match worth watching
Played at a beautiful venue, the match had everything a cricket lover could want – strategic bowling spells, adventurous stroke play, changing of pace and fine individual performances. Both teams were out to prove something, and it was evident in the intensity right from the first over.
West Indies bat first – Flash and fire
Opting to bat first, West Indies Women got off to a quick start thanks to some flamboyant batting from Hayley Matthews, who looked in great form. She scored a quickfire 48 off 34 balls, setting up an aggressive innings. However, regular wickets falling at the other end disrupted the flow.
Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbell put up a strong partnership in the middle, but the Proteas bowlers held the fort. Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba were particularly effective in the middle overs, combining spin and pace variations to slow down the scoring rate.
West Indies finished their innings at a competitive 142/7 in 20 overs.
South Africa’s reply – Calm under pressure
Chasing 143, South Africa Women started cautiously, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits showing discipline against the new ball. The pressure mounted as wickets fell in quick succession after the powerplay. But skipper Sune Luus’ composed knock – a match-defining 52 off 45 balls – held the innings together when it mattered most.
Marizanne Kapp’s late brilliance finished the match with a stunning boundary in the final over, ensuring South Africa won with three balls to spare.
Key performers
Sune Luus (South Africa): Captain’s knock under pressure; Held the team up in the chase.
Hayley Matthews (West Indies): Explosive at the top, got West Indies off to a great start.
Ayabonga Khaka (South Africa): Economical and clever with her length, crucial in breaking partnerships.
Affie Fletcher (West Indies): A fine spinner who kept the game alive by turning the ball square.
This win has added momentum to South Africa’s side in the series and highlights the depth and balance in their squad. For West Indies, it’s a reminder that flashes of talent need consistent support – particularly in the middle order and death overs – to convert potential into wins.
The quality, drama and spectator participation of women’s cricket continues to rise, and matches like this are evidence of that growth. Both West Indies and South Africa showed the world that this format is just as competitive, exciting and skilful as ever.With more matches to come, fans can expect even more intensity as these two fiery teams go head to head once again.
