Half-centuries from Suné Luus and Dané van Niekerk laid the foundation for an unassailable, 2-0 lead for the Momentum Proteas when they beat Bangladesh by 32 runs in the second Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s T20 international in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Luus hit an thrilling, 57-ball 71 while the skipper added her own nifty 66 runs from 42 as the home side posted 169/4 after they were asked to bat first. Luus’ knock was made extra special as it was her maiden T20 international fifty, she is clearly making the most of her promotion up the order after spending majority of her career batting at number eight.
The innings got off to a shaky start after the hosts lost openers Tazmin Brits and Lizelle Lee for 10 and four respectively. Luus and Van Niekerk put on 96 runs for the third wicket, powering their side towards a firmer total than Match One’s 127/6. Chloe Tryon came in at the latter part of the innings, smashing away 18 runs from just nine deliveries including a massive six off the last ball of the innings.
Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter and Panna Ghosh returned identical figures of 2/32 in their four overs.
Shamima Sultana was once again impressive with the bat in hand, leading the visitors’ chase with an impressive maiden 50 from 43 deliveries (6x4s, 1×6). She and Fargana Hoque shard a 77-run, third-wicket partnership after Rumana Ahmed and Sanjida Islam lost their wickets cheaply on five and none respectively. Hoque showed good intent with the bat, hitting 37 at a run a ball before falling victim to Shabnim Ismail, who was the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 2/29 at the end of her spell.
South Africa are just one match shy of a series whitewash, one that will go nicely with the ODI clean sweep they achieved last week. The last match of the series will take place at the same venue tomorrow from 13:00.