17 September 2013
South Africa’s national women’s cricket team held their nerve to edge out Bangladesh by three runs in the third and final T20 international at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday to complete a 3-0 series victory.
Bangladesh needed 12 runs off the final over, with seven wickets in hand, but fell short due to a composed and effective final over from the Proteas’ Marizanne Kapp.
“If we knew that the result would be 3-0 at the start of the series, we would have taken it,” Momentum Proteas Women’s coach Hilton Moreeng said after his side had secured victory.
‘Building a team’
“We are building as a team and it was important for us to start this home series well, especially by playing good cricket and learning from every game that we play.”
The Proteas posted 109 for four in their 20 overs, which owed much to a half- century by player of the match and captain, Mignon du Preez. Du Preez (52) and Kapp (24 not out) shared an important 55-run stand for the third wicket, after the loss of openers Trisha Chetty (0) and Lizelle Lee (11) early on.
Bangladesh put in their most consistent performance with the ball to date, and had South Africa under pressure in the opening overs.
‘They put us under pressure’
“I must give credit to Bangladesh,” Moreeng said. “They put us under pressure very early. The first two overs were maidens and we were a wicket down.
“The partnership between Kapp and the captain put us back where we wanted to be and we had to settle for 109, which required us to go out there and bowl well.”
Bangladesh were well set to reach the target at 79 without loss in the 14th over, but two run outs and a stumping in the space of three overs brought the home team back into contention.
Proud
Moreeng said he was proud of the way his players withstood the pressure, and said it had given him an understanding of the character and temperament at his disposal in his squad.
The teams move on to a three-match ODI series, which starts at Sahara Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday.
SAinfo reporter
