The Proteas Women lost their second unofficial warm-up game by three runs against India on Thursday. 

The match took place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, as they prepare for the World T20. 

India posted 146-4 at the end of their allotted overs after electing to bat first.

Jemimah Rodrigues was the leading run-scorer with 50 from 44 balls (one four, two sixes), followed by captain Harmanpreet Kaur who hit 31 from 29 balls. Taniya Bhatia made a good cameo, chipping in with 26 runs from 21 deliveries.

Although there were a few missed opportunities with the fielding, the bowlers did well to restrict the subcontinental side to their final score. Masabata Klaas was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2-15 in three overs while Tumi Sekhukhune (1-25) and Marizanne Kapp (1-30) added one each.

South Africa’s batting reply got off to a good start thanks to captain Dané van Niekerk who came out swinging from ball one.

Although they lost Lizelle Lee for nine, the skipper continued to charge ahead, smashing 35 from 22 balls (five fours, one six) before her progress was ended by Radha Yadav.

No 3 batter Laura Wolvaardt returned the most runs for South Africa, hitting 42 in 45 deliveries as she tried to get her side over the line. South Africa’s old foe crept up when they lost two wickets in quick succession – Suné Luus for six and Mignon du Preez for one.

Chloe Tryon then marched to the crease and bashed two sixes in her 23-run appearance (17 balls) before Anuja Patil stopped her in her tracks.

South Africa needed 29 from 16 balls when Kapp entered the fray. She added 18 from 12 deliveries but ran out of overs as they lost after posting 143-6.

Yadav and Patil were India’s best bowlers with 3-15 and 2-42.

South Africa will now look to consolidate their preparation with their two official warm-up matches of the ICC Women’s World T20.

They will play Pakistan at the Coolidge Cricket Oval in Antigua on Saturday followed by Australia in Guyana on Tuesday.

Photo: Getty Images