South Africa’s unbeaten run comes to an end with Meg Lanning’s 15th ODI century.
As Australia cruised to a 5-wicket triumph in the 272-run chase at the Basin Reserve in Wellington; on Tuesday, Meg Lanning’s 15th ODI century flattened South Africa and ended their unbeaten streak at the ongoing world cup. Her unbroken 135 off 130 balls had 15 boundaries and a six. South Africa’s unbeaten run comes to an end with Meg Lanning’s 15th ODI century.
Australia were pegged back early in their chase against the most effective bowling attack in the competition; losing the wickets of in-form openers Alyssa Healy and Rachel Haynes to be reduced; to 45 for 2 by the 11th over.
On the green top, the pacers had some assistance, but the hitters fared well. In her first spell, Shabnim Ismail, in particular, exhaled fire. With Ellyse Perry’s batting availability questionable following her absence from the; field for the most of the first innings, Australia had a difficult task.
Lanning, on the other hand, kept the innings in check with her calm play. Deliveries bowled short and outside her offstump benefitted her greatly; letting her to unleash her trademark cuts and cover drives to great advantage.
Furthermore, the track was so conducive to batting that any miscue would be expensive against; the Australian captain, who was always on the lookout for scoring opportunities. She would pounce on the one odd loose delivery and send it past the boundary ropes; even when she was keep on a leash with tight lines.
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She stitched stands of 60 and 93 in the company of Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath; both of whom didn’t appear totally in control of their innings. The mercies afforded by South African fielders were also a good cause for this.
Even though Mignon du Preez made a superb catch at deep mid wicket to dismiss Haynes; on 17 and Tumi Sekhukhune ran out Mooney on 21, South Africa had a nightmare on the field; losing as many as seven chances, allowing Lanning, McGrath, and Ashleigh Gardner to bat longer than they should have.
Shabnim Ismail, in particular, was enrage when she continued to create possibilities only to have them squander. The pacer averaged about 120 km/h and made even the most apprehensive batters feel uneasy. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka aided her effectively; but the remaining bowlers were unable to sustain the pressure on the Australians.
Sekhukhune, who had replaced the injured Mastaba Klass, was the most costly of the bunch; allowing 68 runs in seven overs. Despite delivering full tosses at the batsmen, Sune Luus struggled to strike the appropriate distances and continued getting away.
Australia won the event for the sixth time in a row after completing the run chase with 28 balls to spare.
South Africa had put up a strong showing after being put in to bat earlier in the day, thanks in large part to half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus. South Africa had a stable framework established for them even before the duo got together in the middle, thanks to an 88-run partnership between the openers – Lizelle Lee and Wolvaardt.
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In the 20th over, Alana King trap Lee legbefore for 36, and Lara Goodall, who had replace Tazmin Brits, was bowl for 15 by Annabel Sutherland. A 91-run partnership between Wolvaardt and Luus, on the other hand, laid the foundation for South Africa’s late flourish.
Australia, on the other hand, battled back with a string of wickets, beginning with the set team within the space of eight balls. Before long after, Du Preez’s innings was cut brief by Gardner’s thrilling one-handed exertion at profound midwicket.
Chloe Tryon and Kapp, on the other hand, put on a fast 43-run stand in 25 balls, but it was as well small as well late for Lanning’s Australia. Australia 272/5 in 45.5 overs (Meg Lanning 135*, Tahlia McGrath 32; Shabnim Ismail 2-33, Chloe Tryon 2-44) crushed South Africa 271/5 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 90, Sune Luus 52; Annabel Sutherland 1-26, Alana Lord 1-35) by 5 wickets.