The all-rounder hailing from KwaZulu-Natal has played out of her socks for the Proteas women in the first two ODIs against India.
In the opening match of the series, Tryon bowled seam up on a very dry surface. She didn’t get any assistance, but her accuracy yielded figures of 1-18 in six overs. Apart from keeping things tight at the top, her spell also took the shine off the ball and allowed spinner Dane van Niekerk to run through the hosts. She claimed 4-9 and the South African plans had come together perfectly, dismissing India for 114 within 39 overs.
Tryon would have expected to sit back and watch the top order knock off the runs, but at 31-5 she was required to dig the side out of a serious hole. She did just that, scoring a gutsy 80-ball 50. It was her maiden ODI half-century and it took the team to the brink of victory as she was eventually run out attempting to level the scores. She had done enough, though, as the team got home with two wickets in hand and 8.5 overs to spare.
The second ODI saw South Africa bat first. The recognised batsmen once again struggled to come to terms with the slow surface and when Mignon du Preez fell for a laboured 70-ball 36, it was up to Tryon to salvage the innings.
She walked to the crease in the 37th over with the scoreboard reading 117-5. Acceleration was needed and the 25-year-old showed her versatility by smashing an unbeaten 49 off just 34 deliveries. Her assault took the score to 186-8 at the end of the 50 overs, which proved to be more than enough at the same venue a few days earlier.
This time around the Indians were measured and chased down the total without alarm. They reached their target in the 45th over after only losing four wickets. The result made Tryon’s heroics in the first ODI even more important as it provides South Africa with a chance of winning a series in India when they play the third and final ODI in Bangalore on Friday.
Compiled by Gareth Stevens.
Photo: Backpagepix
