Graeme Smith, Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director of Cricket, has congratulated South Africa Women’s cricket team for a fantastic series win in India after the touring side thrashed India Women in the fourth ODI to take a 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-match series with a game to go on March 17.
South Africa Women beat the Indian Women’s cricket team by 7 wickets in their highest run-chase ever at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday (March 14) to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series and emulate their series success over the Indians on their 2014 tour.
Following the ODI series win over India Women, former South Africa captain said winning a series in India is a “massive achievement” that cannot be understated while explaining how the Proteas women’s team is growing from strength to strength over the years.
Smith said in the CSA release: “Congratulations to the Proteas for a fantastic series win in India. It is one of the most difficult places in the world to tour and for our players to go there and beat the hosts in their own back yard, with a match to spare is a massive achievement, which cannot be understated.”
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He added, “We have seen coach Hilton take his team to New Zealand last year and win a series. They followed that up by beating Pakistan at home in January and now they have gone to India and won a third ODI series in succession.
It shows the immense growth of this team. They are really beginning to blossom at a time when the women's game is also growing and we are extremely happy for them.”
Meanwhile, CSA Acting CEO Pholetsi Moseki said: “What a proud day it is for all South Africans. The Proteas have done a sterling job to beat India Women in India. To have done it in 2014 was an amazing feat, but then to come back and do it again a few years later is just an amazing achievement.”
Moseki concluded, “We must also remember they are without their injured captain Dane van Niekerk, but in her absence, we have seen others like stand-in captains Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt both shine. Lizelle Lee has been incredible with the bat and the support received from those around her like Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, and the bowlers is really commendable.”
(With ANI Inputs)
