![South Africa in their element. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/372753.webp "South Africa in their element. [Image: Getty]")
South Africa carried on the momentum from the second ODI as they registered a scintillating 216-run win versus Bangladesh at the Sahara Park Willowmoore Cricket Stadium. Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive 316/4 in their fifty overs as Laura Wolvaardt sizzled 126 and Tazmin Brits complemented with a knock of 118 and in reply bowling out Bangladesh for 100, the Proteas ended the series on a memorable high.
South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in favourable conditions to the batters. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave the finest possible starts to their side as they batted with a lot of confidence and composure. They breezed past the powerplay and the 20-over mark without any hassle. En route to their partnership, they stitched the highest first-wicket partnership for South Africa as they mounted a total of 243 runs.
🏏 END OF POWERPLAY
Excellent start from the Proteas Women. Wolvaardt and Brits are off to a flyer with a fifty partnership🔥
🇿🇦 Proteas are 60/0 after 10 Overs #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAWvBANW pic.twitter.com/k7o3hgz9Fl
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 23, 2023
Bangladesh’s inexperience came to the fore as they seemed to not get their lines and lengths perfectly nor were the conditions favouring them. Skipper Wolvaardt who has had a remarkable and unforgettable 2023 brought up her fifth ODI century and her partner Brits also rang a special century with an interesting celebration silencing all her detractors.
Tenacious Tazzy
The Ballerina surges to a maiden ODI century at Willowmoore Park 👌💯
A knock for the books 📚 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAWvBANW pic.twitter.com/1NbZz0gFvR
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 23, 2023
Although their partnership seemed impenetrable, Marufa Akter sought the first breakthrough as she dismissed Wolvaardt for a well-played 126 and Brits was out in the very next over for a fine knock of 118. Anneke Bosch and Sune Luus were then instrumental in guiding South Africa in the next phase of play as they struck beautifully and with their cameos of 28 and 34 respectively, they ensured that the late flurry of runs had South Africa posting more than formidable 316/4 on the board.
This was South Africa’s third-highest total in Women’s ODIs. Bangladesh more or less had a very forgettable day with the ball as all the bowlers were dispatched all around the park with an economy rate more than 6 but Rabeya Khatun stood out with two wickets with Marufa Akter and Ritu Moni scalping one wicket each making their presence felt.
🔄 CHANGE OF INNINGS
✅Record-breaking partnership
✅Highest ODI score at Willowmoore Park
✅ Maiden century for Tazmin Brits🏏Laura Wolvaardt & Tazmin Brits steer the Proteas Women to a strong total of 3️⃣1️⃣6️⃣/4️⃣
🇧🇩 need 3️⃣1️⃣7️⃣runs to win #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAWvBANW pic.twitter.com/nkAJrIRtap
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 23, 2023
Bangladesh never looked like they were competing in the run chase as in the very first over, the experienced veteran Marizanne Kapp got rid of Shamima Sultana for 6 and Ayabonga Khaka operating from the other end got the prized wicket of Murshida Khatun. Bangladesh were staring at 16/2 in the first two overs. Wickets continued to tumble as Fargana Hoque, the previous match centurion was out for 8 and with Nigar Sultana out for 3, Bangladesh were in a precarious position with half their crucial batters back in the pavilion.
Even as Fahuma Kahtun and Ritu Moni began the rebuilding effort, the pressure of scoring at the required run rate of excess on 6 was daunting. Eliz-Mari Marx then sprung into action as she dismissed Fahima Kahtun and the run out of Shorna Akter for 1 meant a recovery was far from possible for Bangladesh.
The back-to-back dismissals of Ritu Moni and Nahida Akter were another impediment to Bangladesh’s prospects and with Rabeya Kahtun and Marufa Akter falling cheaply, Bangladesh was skittled for 100 in 31.1 overs gifting South Africa an early Christmas present in the form of a series win and a massive 216 run victory. For South Africa, Nadine de Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka stood out with their three wickets and with the ever-consistent Marizann Kapp taking two wickets, it was the perfect bowling effort.
Tazmin Brits for her counter-attacking maiden century was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ and Laura Wolvaardt for her stellar captaincy and batting through the series was adjudged the ‘Player of the Series’.
THE PROTEAS WOMEN FLY SA FLAG HIGH 🇿🇦
The Proteas Women with an emphatic victory over Bangladesh to the clinch series and end the tour on a high 🏆
Congratulations to the team 👏 😍
Describe that performance with an emoji. 🔥🔥🔥#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/TQh0MCNAS4
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 23, 2023
Brief Scores: South Africa vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI
South Africa- 316/4 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 126, Tazmin Brits 118; Rabeya Khatun 2/49, Marufa Akter 1/35) defeated Bangladesh- 100 all out in 31.1 overs (Ritu Moni 33; Nadine de Klerk 3/10, Ayabonga Khaka 3/15, Marizanne Kapp 2/21) by 216 runs.
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