Australia and South Africa started playing women's ODIs in December 1997 in a World Cup clash. Since then, the closest they came to beating the reigning World Champions was in 2016 when the game ended in a tie. More than seven years later, 34-year-old Marizanne Kapp’s all-round show helped South Africa register their first-ever win over Australia in the format, and that too convincingly. In the second ODI of the series, Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa beat Australia by 80 runs (DLS method) in a rain-curtailed game at North Sydney Oval.
Kapp saves the day, Tryon finishes well
After winning the toss, Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to field first. Wolvaardt was dismissed for a three-ball duck by Megan Schutt in the first over. Tazmin Brits got off to a decent start but lost her wicket to Annabel Sutherland in the 13th over. A few overs later, Anneke Bosch missed her half-century. She was dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner. She scored 44 runs from 46 balls including nine fours and a six. Luus and Kapp stitched a 46-run partnership which was broken by Gardner. Luus scored 19 runs from 33 balls.
Nadine de Klerk became Garth's second victim of the day. She scored 14 runs from 19 balls. Kapp reached her half-century in the 34th over with a boundary. She took 61 balls to reach the milestone. In the slog overs, Kapp tried to accelerate. Schutt in the 42nd over got the prized wicket. Kapp's 87-ball 75 featured 12 fours. Tryon in Schutt's final over went berserk. She hit two fours and a six in the 18-run over. No boundaries were scored in the final over. Tryon remained unbeaten for 46-ball 37 taking South Africa to 229/6 from 45 overs.
Record-breaking partnership not enough after Kapp's three-fer
Australia were off to a decent start in the run chase but Kapp spoiled it with a double strike in her third over. First, she dismissed Healy and then got rid of Beth Mooney for a two-ball duck with a big in-swinger. In her next over, Kapp trapped Litchfield in front of the stumps. She scored 14 runs from 18 balls. Ayanda Hlubi inflicted damage in her second over with the wicket of Ellyse Perry. Tahlia McGrath hit a few boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. Eliz-mari Marx in her first over sent Sutherland back to the dressing room. Hlubi got another wicket as Georgia Wareham got bowled for a five-ball duck. De Klerk joined the party and dismissed McGrath, Alana King in her first over. McGrath scored 22 runs from 26 balls.
Australia were reduced to 71/8 in 14 overs. Garth and Gardner tried to steady the ship. Gardner had a review go her way in the 18th over as well. De Klerk released some pressure with two consecutive no-balls. Garth hit her for a maximum in the 20th over. They revived the run chase with the highest partnership for the ninth wicket in women's ODI cricket history. The 77-run partnership was broken by Marz in the 29th over. Gardner scored 35 runs from 52 balls including four fours. In the next over, Tryon dismissed Schutt as Australia were bowled out for 149 in the 30th over. Kapp was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for her all-round show to lead South Africa to an 80-run win.
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