Cape Town - Another dominant performance by the bowlers saw the Proteas overwhelm Bangladesh on their way to a commanding nine-wicket victory in the third Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s One-Day International in Kimberley on Wednesday.
The win takes South Africa to an unassailable three-nil lead, with two matches to spare in the five-match Series.
Skipper Dané van Niekerk won the toss and elected to bowl at the Diamond Oval as they went on to dismiss their opponents for just 71 runs in 36.5 overs.
In her 50th ODI, the hero from Sunday’s triumph in Potchefstroom Ayabonga Khaka, produced another stellar display with match figures of three for 16, as she once again made early inroads into the visitors’ batting order.
Khaka was well-supported by the experienced fast bowler, Marizanne Kapp (2/14) as they shared the first four wickets to fall in an astonishing spell of cricket. The pace-bowling duo picked up two wickets apiece, leaving Bangladesh limping on 6/4 within the opening four overs.
After an abysmal start with the bat, the side from the sub-continent continued to struggle with the South African bowlers. Wicket-keeper batter, Nigar Sultana was the only one to make an impression, top-scoring with an unbeaten 33 off 97 deliveries as Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for their second consecutive below-100 score in the series.
Masabata Klaas (1/7), Raisibe Ntozakhe (1/10), Chloe Tryon (1/12) and debutant Zintle Mali (1/6) all chipped in with a wicket apiece, as they rounded off a superb performance in the field that included two fine run outs.
The Proteas were clinical in their reply, as opener Lizelle Lee made light work of the total, scoring an unbeaten 44 from 51 balls to claim the Player of the Match award and lead the hosts to a convincing victory.
Bangladeshi bowler, Nahida Akter took the only wicket of the South African innings, dismissing Andrie Steyn for 12. Trisha Chetty (15*) partnered up with Lee to take their side over the line with more than 35 overs to spare.
The fourth ODI will also be played at the Diamond Oval, starting at 09:45 on Friday, May 11.