Laura Wolvaardt Leads South Africa to Victory with 110* as Kapp Shines
Laura Wolvaardt’s remarkable form continued as she secured another century, guiding South Africa to a commanding seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka.
Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 80 further bolstered the team’s performance, achieving the 230-run target with 14 balls remaining in the match.
Wolvaardt’s exceptional leadership and batting prowess, marked by her third century since assuming captaincy and sixth overall, propelled South Africa to the highest successful chase in a women’s ODI at Kimberley. This victory not only gave South Africa an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series but also elevated Wolvaardt as the leading run-scorer for South Africa in ODI cricket, achieved in her 94th game.
Crucially, this win also contributed to South Africa’s consolidation of their position in the Women’s Championship, securing two valuable points and cementing their second-place ranking. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s defeat leaves them outside the automatic qualification zone for the 2025 World Cup, currently in eighth position.
Wolvaardt’s stellar performance was complemented by Marizanne Kapp’s steady innings, where she notched her third half-century in seven innings. Together, they built a formidable 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket, capitalizing on a pitch with low bounce and exploiting Sri Lanka’s bowling attack’s lack of potency.
South Africa’s dominance was evident from the start, as their opening bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to a mere 15 runs in the initial overs. Ayabonga Khaka’s early breakthrough set the tone, followed by Kapp’s economical spell that included 22 dot balls. Despite a brief resurgence led by Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Nadine de Klerk, stifled Sri Lanka’s momentum, limiting them to 229 runs.
In the chase, South Africa faced initial setbacks with the absence of key players like Tazmin Brits and Anneke Bosch due to injuries. However, dropped catches and missed opportunities by Sri Lanka’s fielders allowed Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, and Kapp to capitalize and guide South Africa to a historic victory.
Despite interruptions due to inclement weather, South Africa’s determination remained unwavering as they completed the chase successfully, with Wolvaardt reaching her century in the 44th over. This victory not only showcased South Africa’s resilience but also highlighted Wolvaardt and Kapp’s invaluable contributions, solidifying their positions as key players in the team’s success.
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