Chloé Tryon delivered a superb all-round performance with the ball before half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus guided the Proteas Women to a convincing eight-wicket victory over India in the second T20 International at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday.
Tryon was outstanding with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/22, while Tumi Sekhukhune provided strong support with 3/31 as South Africa dismissed India for 147 in their allotted 20 overs.
After being put in to bat, India made a brisk start despite losing Smriti Mandhana (12) early when Tryon struck in the third over. The left-arm spinner continued to make an impact, removing Jemimah Rodrigues (2) during the powerplay to leave India under early pressure at 58/2 after six overs.
Shafali Verma, playing in her 100th T20I, led India’s resistance with an attacking half-century, sharing a 53-run partnership with Anushka Sharma (28) as the visitors looked to build momentum. However, Tryon returned to break the stand by dismissing Sharma, shifting the momentum back in South Africa’s favour.
The Proteas tightened their grip soon after when Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/17) removed Verma, who was caught in the deep by Nadine de Klerk, leaving India on 109/4 in the 14th over. From there, South Africa finished strongly, with Sekhukhune claiming three late wickets alongside Nadine de Klerk (1/14), while two run-outs helped bowl India out for 147.
In reply, the Proteas Women got off to the perfect start thanks to a dominant opening partnership between Wolvaardt and Luus. The pair put on 66 runs inside the powerplay and continued to build steadily, guiding the hosts to 92/0 at the halfway mark with the chase firmly under control.
The experienced duo brought up a superb 106-run partnership, with Wolvaardt leading from the front. The captain struck 54 off 34 balls, including seven fours and a six, registering her second half-century of the series and her 15th in T20 Internationals before the partnership was finally broken in the 12th over.
Luus continued to anchor the innings and soon raised her bat for a well-compiled 57 off 47 balls, marking her seventh T20I half-century. Although both set batters were eventually dismissed, the damage had already been done.
Tazmin Brits (20*) and Annerie Dercksen (12*) calmly completed the chase as South Africa sealed victory with 17 balls to spare, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
The teams will now travel to Johannesburg, where the third T20 International is scheduled to take place at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday, 22 April, starting at 18:00.
Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against India:
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), *Tebogo Macheke (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions).
*Uncapped
Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Inbound T20I Series against India:
2nd T20I – Sunday, 19 April at 14:00
South Africa vs India – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
3rd T20I – Wednesday, 22 April at 18:00
South Africa vs India – DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg
4th T20I – Saturday, 25 April at 18:00
South Africa vs India – DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg
5th T20I – Monday, 27 April at 14:00
South Africa vs India – Willowmoore Park, Benoni