Chloé Tryon scored 57* off 32 balls as the Proteas claimed a confidence-boosting five-wicket win over India in the final of the Women’s T20I Tri-Series at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.
Tryon hit six fours and two sixes as the Proteas chased down India’s 109-4 to win the tournament that served as preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa from 10-26 February.
Nonkululeko Mlaba led the hosts’ charge with the ball, taking 2-16.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India were placed under immediate pressure when Mlaba dismissed Smriti Mandhana for a duck in the second over.
The Proteas restricted India to 19-1 in the powerplay before Mlaba had Jemimah Rodrigues (11) stumped by Sinalo Jafta.
Harleen Deol (46) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21) then put on 48 for the third wicket to get India to a modest total.
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The Proteas Women made a stuttering start to their run chase as India’s spinners – Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sneh Rana – struck to leave the hosts reeling at 21-3 in the seventh over.
Those wickets meant an early introduction for all-rounder Tryon, who played a leading role in three crucial partnerships with Luus (12), Annerie Dercksen (eight) and Nadine de Klerk (17*), the last of which was worth 47 runs.
With the score 66-5 in the 14th over, Tryon and De Klerk showed great composure to take the game away from the visitors, before Tryon dispatched a six over deep square leg to clinch the win with 12 balls to spare.
Tryon was named the Player of the Match, while Sharma won the Player of the Series award.
