Anneke Bosch’s 65* helped the Proteas Women seal an eight-wicket victory in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom on Wednesday and level the series.
Bosch, who was named Player of the Match, took full advantage of the platform laid by captain Laura Wolvaardt (54) and Tazmin Brits (50) at the top of the order, as she combined for a 117-run partnership with Suné Luus (47*).
After being put into bat, Bangladesh made another solid start as Shamima Sultana (28) and Fargana Hoque (102) produced an opening stand of 48 before Masabata Klaas (1-50) struck in the 13th over.
Entering the fray at three, the visitors’ top-scorer from the first ODI in Murshida Sultana (eight) didn’t last long this time around as she became Marizanne Kapp’s 150th career wicket. Kapp (2-21) became only the second Proteas Women player to achieve the feat.
Despite losing two partners at the other end, Hoque continued to lead from the front in two half-century stands with Nigar Sultana (13) and Fahima Khatun (46*) as the experienced right-hander brought up her 11th career fifty.
In a 93-run stand for the fourth wicket, Hoque and Khatun saw the Tigresses over the 200-run mark for the second game running before Hoque raised her arms aloft for her second ODI century.
Hoque, through a run out, was the last wicket to fall for the visitors as they finished on 222-4 with Khatun unbeaten on 46.
The Proteas batters made a good start to the run chase with captain Wolvaardt and Brits bringing up a 50-run stand in the 12th over.
Both kicked on as Wolvaardt reached her 31st ODI fifty and Brits her maiden ODI half-century to help take their opening stand into three figures.
With the score 106-0, Ritu Moni (1-23) and Khatun (1-44) struck with consecutive deliveries to dismiss both batters.
But South Africa’s Luus and Bosch combined for a crucial rebuilding partnership for the third wicket.
The pair then took the game away from their opponents as Bosch raced to her second ODI fifty before surpassing her previous best to help South Africa secure the victory with 29 balls to spare.
The series decider will take place at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday (from 2pm).
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
