Photo: ICC
3.2, 3, 0, 4 – These are not the co-ordinates of some unknown places on earth. They are the bowling figures of Dan Van Niekerk, 3.2 overs, 3 maidens, no runs and 4 wickets. Yes, you read that right, the South African captain picked up 4 wickets for no runs. West Indies were bowled out for a mere 48 in 25.2 overs. And to add to their miseries, South Africa reached home in 6.2 overs with all 10 wickets intact. Niekerk’s figures also created the world record for most wickets without conceding a run in international cricket. Legendary Australian leg spinner Richie Benaud picked up 3 wickets without conceding a run way back in 1959 against India in the longest format of the game. Niekerk was not the only tormentor for West Indies, who have not brought their A game in the Women’s World Cup. Medium pacer Marizanne Kapp also sneered 4 wickets for 14 runs in 7 overs. Niekerk and Kapp’s figures are now the two best figures for South Africa women in World Cup cricket. As many as 5 Windies women went without troubling the scorers. Right-handed middle order batsman Chedean Nation top scored with 26. She became the first of the four scalps for Niekerk. The decision to send the West Indies in bore rich dividends for South Africa, as the powerful Windies side lost their top 5 for just 16 runs. The mayhem was initiated by new ball bowlers Ismail and Kapp and it rubbed off to the captain as she delivered one of the finest bowling performances in the history of cricket. In, reply South African openers Wolvaardt (19) and Lee (29) made a mockery of the 49 run target by reaching home in 6.2 overs. This also became the first occasion when a Indies Women’s team lost an ODI by 10 wickets.
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