After beating Pakistan Women at home, South Africa Women now went on to beat India Women 4-1 in the ODI series at their den. Ruthless with bat and efficient on the field, the tourists exploited the rustiness of the Indians, who were playing after a year. Here are the marks out of 10 for the visitors.
Lizelle Lee: 9 (M 4, R 288, Ave 144, SR 86)
Lee finished as the premier batter from either side despite missing a match. Not only was she difficult to dislodge, but she also accelerated at will. Even after the series was over, was little doubt who the Player of the Series would be.
Marizanne Kapp: 8 (M 5, R 68, Ave 34, SR 84, W 3, Ave 54.33, Econ 3.62)
Kapp did not get the wickets, but did the next-best thing. She made scoring difficult for the Indians, forcing them to take risks. And with bat, she played crucial roles in the last two ODIs.
Shabnim Ismail: 8 (M 5, W 7, Ave 28.57, Econ 4.76)
South Africa’s most senior fast bowler continued with her tremendous form from the Pakistan series. She hit the 150-wicket mark this series, and given how things are going, there is no reason for her to not make it to 200.
Mignon du Preez: 7.5 (M 5, R 166, Ave 41.50, SR 75)
If Lee dominated at the top with her forceful batting, the experienced du Preez took control of of the final stages of the chase. Her nimble footwork and dazzling strokes reminded the spectators why she is South Africa’s best.
Lara Goodall: 7 (M 5, R 125, Ave 41.67, SR 65)
This was an important series for Goodall, and her two important fifties should be enough for her to cement the No. 3 spot in the South African line-up.
Ayabonga Khaka: 7 (M 4, W 1, Ave 117, Econ 3.44)
Only one wicket for Khaka in four matches, but on the other hand, she was the most economical bowler from either side, not allowing the Indians to cut loose in the middle overs.
Anneke Bosch: 6 (M 3, R 74, Ave 74, SR 76, W 1, Ave 82, Econ 4.82)
Had Dane van Niekerk been available, Bosch might not have played at all. Only once – in the final match – did she come out to bat under pressure, and emerged in flying colours.
Nadine de Klerk: 6 (M 3, R 27, Ave 27, SR 48, W 3, Ave 29, Econ 4.66)
De Klerk had one superb all-round performance, in the last match. She scythed through the Indian lower order before partnering with Kapp to secure a chase that threatened to go off track.
Laura Wolvaardt: 5 (M 5, R 154, Ave 30.80, SR 66)
Wolvaardt got two fifties, helping Lee to put up 162 and 116 in two wins. She also led well in the two matches Sune Luus missed.
Tumi Sekhukhune: 4 (M 3, W 5, Ave 28.40, Econ 5.35)
Sekhukhune was expensive, but she gets points because four of her five wickets were of top-order batters.
Nondumiso Shangase: 4 (M 3, W 3, Ave 36, Econ 4.69)
The South African spin attack – their least strong department – is gradually taking shape. Shangase was accurate, and picked up key wickets.
Nonkululeko Mlaba: 3 (M 2, W 2, Ave 35, Econ 5.38)
Mlaba’s double blow hurt India in the fourth ODI. She did not leave an impact otherwise.
Sinalo Jafta: 3 (M 3, C/S 2/0)
Jafta had Trisha Chetty’s giant shoes to fill. She kept wickets efficiently, but South Africa batted so well that she did not get a chance to bat.
Sune Luus: 2 (M 3, R 47, Ave 15.67, SR 51, W 1, Ave 51, Econ 5.67)
Luus, who deputised for van Niekerk, missed two matches, and did not make her presence felt in the other three.
Trisha Chetty: 2 (M 2, R 12, Ave 12, SR 48, C/S 1/0)
Chetty did well in the first two matches. Her fitness remains a concern.