De Klerk’s 84 not out stuns India as South Africa wins by 3 wickets at Women’s Cricket World Cup

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VISAKHAPATNAM, India (AP) — Nadine de Klerk hit 84 not out off 54 balls as South Africa upset hosts India by three wickets at the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Thursday.

De Klerk, who stroked five sixes and eight fours, put on vital lower-order partnerships after skipper Laura Wolvaardt hit 70 off 111 balls to help South Africa reach 252-7 in 48.5 overs.

That was in reply to India’s 251 all out in 49.5 overs. De Klerk took 2-52 and Chloe Tyron picked up 3-32 in 10 overs as South Africa's bowlers restricted India to 102-6 at one stage.

Richa Ghosh’s 94 off 77 balls — including four sixes and 11 fours — helped take India to a competitive total before the Proteas registered a winning chase.

It was South Africa’s second straight win following a lopsided, 10-wicket opening loss to England, and it is now fourth in the standings. The Proteas next play Bangladesh at the same venue on Monday.

“I am lost for words at the moment,” said De Klerk, the player of the match. “I just wanted to finish the game, so I tried to dig deep and give ourselves the best chance. I do love being under pressure and hopefully this gives us a lot of confidence. I love World Cups and (there is) no bigger stage than playing India at home.”

India is still third – with two wins from three games — ahead of Sunday's game against defending champion Australia.

New Zealand takes on Bangladesh in Guwahati on Friday.

Put into bat, India’s batting failed to impress for the third time running. It did get a start – Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (37) added 55 for the first wicket.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-46) dismissed Mandhana in the 11th over and then bowled Harleen Deol for 13. In between, Rawal was out caught to leave India at 91-3.

Tyron trapped Jemimah Rodrigues for a four-ball duck, and then dismissed skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (9) as India slipped to 100-5. It shortly became 102-6 as Marizanne Kapp (2-45) sent back Deepti Sharma.

Richa Ghosh turned the innings around with a patient 51 off 84 balls with Amanjot Kaur (13). She then added another 88 off 53 with Sneh Rana, who scored 33 off 24 balls.

Ghosh posted her half-century from 53 balls, and finished with her second-highest ODI score.

The Proteas lost Tazmin Brits for a three-ball duck just days after she scored a century against New Zealand.

Like India, the Proteas lost regular top-order wickets and was down to 81-5 in 19.4 overs with Sune Luus (5) and Marizanne Kapp (20) back in the pavillion as well.

But skipper Wolvaardt held one end – she reached 50 off 81 balls – and strung together vital partnerships to save the innings.

First, she added 23 off 33 with Sinalo Jafta (14) to stem the tide, and then another 61 off 97 balls with Tryon in a momentum-turning partneship.

Gaud bowled Wolvaardt in the 36th over and there was still a lot to be done at 142-6. De Klerk and Tryon combined to script a stunning chase.

Sneh Rana trapped Tryon lbw in the 46th over for one final twist, but de Klerk resisted further.

She scored 50 off 40 balls, adding 41 off 18 balls with Ayabonga Khaka (1 not out) in a race to the finish.

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