INDW v SAW 2021: Lee-Wolvaardt help South Africa women win a thriller by 6 wickets in 2nd T20I; take unassailable 2-0 lead

Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee made half-centuries for South African women.

The second T20I between Indian women and South African women proved to be a thrilling match that the visitors won only due to poor fielding by the home side. The match was played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow with South African women having a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

INDW v SAW 2021: Anne Bosch stars in South Africa’s 8-wicket victory over India in T20I series opener

Sune Luus won the toss and chose to field first. Shafali Verma (47 with 6 fours and 2 sixes) and Richa Ghosh (44* with 8 fours) enabled Indian women to get 158/4 in 20 overs. Four South African bowlers picked one wicket each with Anneke Bosch being the best of the lot with 1/26.

In reply, the South African innings was anchored by Lizelle Lee who made 70 with 11 fours and 1 six. Sune Luus made 20, but in the end, it was Laura Wolvaardt’s 53* in 39 balls with 7 fours that helped South Africa reach the target on the last ball of the match.

India women could have had the match in their pockets when Lee fell at 116/3 in the 16^th over, but poor fielding, catching, and general confusion helped South Africa women to claw back into the match and win it by 6 wickets.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the best Indian bowler with 1/20 in 4 overs.

With this win, South African women also took a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

BRIEF SCORES:

INDW 158/4 (S VERMA 47, R GHOSH 44*) lost to SAW 159/4 ( L LEE 70, L WOLVAARDT 53*) by 6 wickets

South Africa Women leads the 3-match series 2-0.