In the ongoing One-off Test match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chennai, India showcased their batting prowess, amassing a monumental 603/6 before declaring their innings. Led by notable performances from their top-order batter, India set a daunting target for South Africa right from the outset.
South Africa’s struggle against Sneh Rana
South Africa faced an uphill battle from the start, initially reaching 236/4 in their first innings on Day 2 but failing to capitalize further. They were eventually bowled out for 266 on Day 3, with Marizanne Kapp’s resilient 74 off 141 balls being a standout performance amidst India’s formidable bowling attack. Sneh Rana‘s exceptional spell of 8 wickets for 77 runs further underscored India’s dominance with the ball. Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur‘s crucial wickets for India have kept the match intriguingly poised.
Fightback by Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus
Forced to follow on after trailing by 327 runs, South Africa faced early setbacks with the loss of Anneke Bosch. However, captain Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus turned the tide with a historic partnership of 190 runs for the second wicket, the highest-ever for South Africa against any opponent. Wolvaardt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 93 off 252 balls, while Luus contributed a crucial 109 off 203 balls, showcasing resilience and determination against India’s bowling attack.
Also READ: India overtakes Australia to set new world record for the highest team total in Women’s Test history
Game in balance
At the end of Day 3, South Africa’s second innings stood at 232/2, still trailing by 105 runs with Kapp joining Wolvaardt at the crease after the fall of Luus. The match hangs in balance as South Africa aim to potentially set a challenging target for India. The outcome of the match heavily depends on whether South Africa can build on their current partnership and avoid the collapses witnessed earlier in the game.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Not even an hour has passed and Sneh Rana has cleaned up the Proteas. She now has eight wickets in this innings and is up there with Neetu David and Ashleigh Gardner for most scalps in an innings.
Neetu still has the best bowling figures ever courtesy fewer runs scored. Sneh’s… pic.twitter.com/1iigDdV9Jl
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) June 30, 2024
The madness continue 🇮🇳🔥
Sneh Rana has demolished the SA’s batting order with a 8-fer 💪 pic.twitter.com/PjS0QvlpZs
— UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) June 30, 2024
Best Bowling Figures In an Innings in Women’s Test
8/53 : Neetu David🇮🇳 vs 🏴, at Jamshedpur, 1995
8/66 : Ashleigh Gardner🇦🇺 vs 🏴 at Nottingham, 2023
𝟴/𝟳𝟳 : Sneh Rana🇮🇳 vs 🇿🇦 at Chennai, TODAY**#INDvSA #INDWvSAW #INDWvsSAW pic.twitter.com/Bt8hjzj1nd— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) June 30, 2024
Off spin AR FC. Sneh Rana, too good. 💪 https://t.co/AnUBaQ5lW6
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 30, 2024
Considering the scoreline at the end of day 1, South Africa have done brilliantly to take this match into the final day
Brilliant fightback against all odds against a quality bowling attack#INDvSA
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) June 30, 2024
So happy to see Sune Luus back in the runs. It has been a long lean patch for her over the last year or two, but today she stamps her authority with her first ever test match hundred 🔥
Also wonderful partnership between her and Wolfie pic.twitter.com/dkmEo80XvE
— Werner (@Werries_) June 30, 2024
🟢🟡Super Sune! 💫
Sune Luus has batted superbly and brings up her 1st test-match century in style.🏏#AlwaysRising #BePartOfIt#WozaNawe #SAWvINDW pic.twitter.com/kn4NdP00z3
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) June 30, 2024
Highest partnership for SA in women’s Test:
Laura Wolvaardt-Sune Luus: 190 vs IND @ Chennai, 2024*
Johmari Logtenberg-Charlize van der Westhuizen: 138 vs ENG @ Shenley, 2003
Dawn Moe-Brenda Williams: 117 vs NZ @ Johannesburg, 1972#INDWvSAW
— sudharshan sridharan (@sudharshansrid1) June 30, 2024
Take a bow @SuneLuus
Superb century under pressure! #INDWvSAW— Halsey Nim (@nimalen316) June 30, 2024
I was expecting an innings victory from Indian women & it seems it’s not happening 🏃#INDWvSAW
— Jackson Dass Antony (@AJacksonDass) June 30, 2024
Amidst all the excitement from India’s World Cup win, let’s not forget what Sneh Rana has done vs South Africa!!
25.3-4-77-8
SECOND BEST BOWLING FIGURES FOR INDIA IN AN INNINGS!! 🔥🔥#RohitSharma #ViratKohli #INDvsSA2024 #T20WorldCup24 #T20WC2024
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) June 30, 2024
Also READ: Shemaine Campbelle, Hayley Matthews lead West Indies to series-clinching win over Sri Lanka in 3rd Women’s T20I
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
