The Proteas Women sealed a clinical 63-run victory in their World Cup Qualifying opener against Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Dane van Niekerk’s side is already looking in good shape to reach the Super Six stage of the tournament now, after defeating supposedly their closest competitors in the group stages.
They take on Scotland only one day later on Wednesday, in what is a congested schedule as they look to book one of four spots in this year’s Women’s World Cup.
The Proteas fielded a side strengthened by the returns of Trisha Chetty and Shabnim Ismail, and contributions across the park allowed for a comfortable win.
Mignon du Preez (40) and Marizanne Kapp (38) kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely, but it was up to Chloe Tryon to do most of the damage, smashing four sixes and five fours on her way to a 69-ball 79, taking her side to 258-9 from the 50 overs.
The bowlers put on a disciplined display as Kapp led the way with the new ball, returning figures of 1-24 from her eight overs, while Van Niekerk chipped in with 2-35. The most impressive was arguably Marcia Letsoalo, who strangled the Pakistani batters with 1-22 from nine overs.
Pakistan could only reach 195-6 from their allotted overs, 63 runs short of the mark.
Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images
