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Proteas female hitter Laura Wolvaardt
Darren Stewart / Gallo Images
the Proteas women cruise to a eight wickets ODI opening win against India in Lucknow on Sunday.
South Africa needed 40.1 overs to chase the 178 total of the hosts with Laura wolvaardt (80) and By Lizelle Lee (76 *) the opening booth of 169 led the side to a complete victory in the first of five ODIs.
After being sent to bat, India was eager to get off to a good start on their international comeback as they looked to score well above 200.
However, some astute captaincy from Sune Luus and wickets at key intervals meant that the Proteas put pressure on their hosts.
Shabnim Ismail led the Proteas in the bowling attack when he took three of 28 in his 10 overs.
Proteas spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba also capitalized on the Lucknow wicket, capturing two for 41 (10).
Captain Mithali Raj scored the top scorer for the hosts with 50 of 85 balls, while India recorded 177/9.
India’s 178 total was never enough to put the Proteas to the test as Wolvaardt and Lee’s hitting prowess took center stage.
Lee best scored for the Proteas when he broke an undefeated 83 of 122 balls (11 fours and a six) to put it safely sideways on the line.
She was supported by her teammate Wolvaardt, who scored 80 of 110 balls (12 fours), before falling to Jhulan Goswami (2/31.
Goswami then took the window of pattern Luus (1) before a width assured the Proteas their initial victory.
The second ODI starts on Tuesday at 05:30 (SA time).
More to follow …
Scores in brief:
India – 177/9 (Proverbs Raj 50, Harmanpreet Kaur 40, Shabnim Ismail 3/28, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/41)
South Africa: 178/2 in 40.1 overs (Lizelle Lee 83 *, Laura Wolvaardt 80, Jhulan Goswami 2/31)
Result: Proteas wins by 8 plots
