SAW vs INDW, 3rd T20I, Highlights: Laura Wolvaardt hands India reality check before T20 World Cup

Shifting focus - Well, the series winner might already be decided, but with the Women's T20 World Cup on the horizon, both teams will still be looking to win the remaining two games. For the 4th T20I, we stay in Johannesburg and the match will be played on Saturday, 25 April. The match will begin at 9.30 pm IST (4 pm GMT), but you can tune in to oyr build-up a lot sooner. Cheers!

POTM - Laura Wolvaardt! The award goes to South Africa Women's skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, for her match-winning knock of 115 runs off 53 balls.

... The Presentation ceremony ...

Recapping the first innings - With a bit of rain and lightning around, the start of the game was delayed by half an hour, but once things got underway, it was high-octane action. Having been put into bat, India Women started well and Smriti Mandhana found her timing before falling for 37. Shafali Verma did struggle a bit but fought her way through to notch up yet another half-century. Nonkululeko Mlaba was South Africa's double wicket-taker in the first 10 overs. In the next 10 overs, it was Harmanpreet Kaur who took charge, going on to hammer 66 off just 38 balls and a breezy cameo from Richa Ghosh at the death took India to a massive score of 192/4 in 20 overs. For the Proteas, they used seven bowlers and Annerie Dercksen was the most economical as Mlaba picked up a couple of wickets.

A morale-depleting loss - After a couple of under-par totals in the first two games, India Women finally managed to fire with the bat as they put up 192 runs on the board. However, the bowling was yet again a letdown, and the pacers didn't start well at all. Too many extras and too many boundary balls only added to more misery. The Indian spinners, generally revered for their magic in the middle phase, didn't have a very positive outing either. There were a few dropped catches as well, along with some misfields, which means the reigning ODI Champions need to pull up their socks and end this series on a positive note because they have the individual talent, it just hasn't come off in this series so far.

An all-time great run chase - With 193 needed for the win, it was set up to be an exciting run chase no matter what, but the hosts hardly broke a sweat, gunning it down inside 17 overs. Laura Wolvaardt was the chief architect of the run chase, notching up her 3rd T20I century as well, and this one was the fastest one by a South Africa Women player in the format. At the other end, Sune Luus played a perfect support role but she too racked up the runs, sweeping brilliantly against the spinners and she even hit the winning six. Wolvaardt did get out on 115 with just 10 runs to win, but Luus stayed unbeaten on 64 off 42 balls to seal a memorable win.

Sealing the series in style - What a chase that was! It seemed like even if Indian Women had 250 on the board, Laura Wolvaardt and South Africa Women would have chased it down. It was the sheer intent of the Proteas Women skipper, coupled with her immaculate timing, that blew the opposition away tonight. The hosts take an unassailable 3-0 lead in this five-match T20I series.

16.3: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, SIX! Sune Luus finishes things off in style! SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN WIN BY 9 WICKETS AND TAKE THE SERIES. Deepti Sharma floats it up, full and around middle. Luus gets down on one knee and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

16.2: Deepti Sharma to Tazmin Brits, Dragged back, on middle and leg, Tazmin Brits stays back and works it through square leg for one. South Africa Women are one big hit away from the win now.

16.1: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Shorter in length, on middle, Sune Luus swats it to long on for a single.

15.6: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Short and around leg, Sune Luus flicks it through square leg for one.

15.5: Shreyanka Patil to Tazmin Brits, Flatter, full and around leg, Tazmin Brits uses her feet and clips it through mid-wicket for one.

15.4: Shreyanka Patil to Tazmin Brits, Flighted, full and on off, Tazmin Brits drives it to mid off.

15.3: Shreyanka Patil to Tazmin Brits, Tossed up, full and on middle, Tazmin Brits knocks it back to the bowler.

Tazmin Brits is the new batter.

15.2: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, OUT! TAKEN! Finally, something to smile about for the Indians. The Laura Wolvaardt show is over, but it was special to watch her bat here. The Indian players go up to her to show their appreciation, while everyone present at the ground is on their feet. Coming to the delivery, this is looped up, full and on middle, does not spin much. Laura goes down for the sweep but gets a top edge as the ball flies towards deep mid-wicket. Anushka Sharma (Sub) runs forward, keeps her eyes on the ball and takes a good catch. Wolvaardt departs after a record-breaking century, putting her side on the verge of a famous series win here.

15.1: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! South Africa Women are doing it in a canter now! Tossed up, full and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and blasts it over the bowler's head for a boundary. Just 10 runs needed to win now.

14.6: Kashvee Gautam to Sune Luus, Good length outside off, Luus forces the lofted shot up and over wide mid off and picks up a couple of runs.

14.5: Kashvee Gautam to Sune Luus, FOUR! Sune Luus nearly knocks over the non-striker here. Pitched fuller and outside off, Luus hangs back and drills the ball down the ground, albeit a tad uppishly and picks up four runs.

14.4: Kashvee Gautam to Sune Luus, A wide yorker, well bowled by Gautam. Luus drills the cover drive but straight to Shafali Verma at covers, who gets her body behind it.

14.3: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length, angled across off, Wolvaardt flat-bats it down to long on and without much timing for a single.

14.2: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, Kashvee comes around the wicket and bowls a full one across the off stump. Wolvaardt picks it up and lifts it high and wde to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs more.

14.1: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! Wolvaardt wants to end it in a hurry now. Dropped a bit short and angled into the batter. Wolvaardt swivels and pulls it away over the square leg fence for a biggie.

13.6: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Tossed up on middle, Wolvaardt comes down the pitch and shanks it down to long on for a single. Just 29 needed now off 36 balls.

13.5: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! HUNDRED FOR WOLVAARDT! What a knock from the South Africa Women skipper and that's the fastest T20I hundred ever for a Protea Women as well. Flatter one at the stumps, Wolvaardt advances down the pitch and smacks it flat over the bowler's head for a boundary. Laura takes off her helmet and revels in the ovation from the crowd and the dug-out as well.

13.4: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Back-to-back FIFTIES for Sune Luus. Full and straight, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single and this has been a solid knock so far from her.

13.3: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Flatter one on middle, Wolvaardt comes forward and hits it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.2: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Oh, no. How has that happened? A low full toss, on middle and leg, driven off the toe end of the bat down to long on. Jemimah Rodrigues, probably India's best fielder, just lets it through her hands and the ball rolls into the fence.

13.1: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! Smoked away and up comes the 150-run stand between these two. Tossed up, on a length, Wolvaardt comes down the track and heaves it powerfully and flat over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Deepti Sharma is back on.

12.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, DROPPED! Another one goes down and it is the Indian skipper who drops the South African skipper. Length ball around off, Laura Wolvaardt goes after it but ends up skewing it up in the air towards mid off. Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover scrambles towards the ball and lunges to reach it but the ball pops out of her hands. Single taken.

12.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Excellent running and this is now the highest-opening stand for the Proteas Women against India Women in T20Is. Fuller in length, outside off, driven just wide of deep cover for a couple of quick runs.

12.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Not quite where Wolvaardt intended that to go but the result is another boundary. Full again, angled in at the toes. Laura Wolvaardt takes the front leg out and swipes across the line but gets an inside edge and the ball goes behind square leg for a boundary.

12.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Full, on middle and leg, flicked away wide to the right of long on for a single. Sune Luus moves to 49 now.

12.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Slower one, looped up on off, dips on the batter. Luus smothers it back to the bowler.

12.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched-up delivery, on the stumps, driven down to long on for a single.

11.6: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, FOUR! The boundaries just keep on coming. Floated up on off, not all that full. Luus comes a bit forward and heaves the sweep away to the left of deep backward square leg and ends the over with another boundary. 11 off it.

11.5: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Nagging length outside off, Luus hangs back and dabs it down to short third.

11.4: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, FOUR! Streaky. Full and well outside off stump, Luus reaches out to drive but cue-ends it past the keeper and fine of short third for a boundary.

11.3: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, Fired in, full and on off, jammed out through extra cover for a single by Wolvaardt.

11.2: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Oh, that's gone through the legs. Fuller one, swepts away straight to mid-wicket, but Shafali Verma misfields and allows a single.

11.1: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, A rare mishit from Laura. Flighted ball, wide outside off and on a good length. Wolvaardt comes down the pitch to go afterit but drags it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Arundhati Reddy is off the field receiving a bit of treatment. Shreyanka Patil replaces her.

10.6: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Floated up on the stumps, full again, turned away between square leg and mid-wicket for a run. 66 needed now off 54 balls.

10.5: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Full again, straighter too, Luus stays compact and wrists it firmly down to long on for one more.

10.4: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Full on middle, whipped away to the right of a silly mid on and towards long on for a single.

10.3: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Calls for a catch but the ball lands safely. Darted in, full and on middle and leg, Wolvaardt gets inside the line to lap it away but gets a top edge fine of the short fine fielder and picks up a couple of runs.

10.2: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! As clean as a whistle! Tossed up on the stumps, Laura Wolvaardt dances down the pitch and whacks it straight back over the bowler's head and the ball sails into the sightscreen.

10.1: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Floated up, full and on off, Sune Luus shuffles across a bit and sweeps it flat towards deep backward square leg for a single.

9.6: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Back of a length and on middle, Sune Luus pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

9.5: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, FOUR! Excellent shot! Pitched up and around off, Sune Luus gets her hands through the drive and creams it past extra cover. The fielder in the deep dives to her right but fails to stop the boundary.

9.5: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, FIVE WIDES! Free runs! Reddy errs in line and serves this full but shaping down the leg side. Sune Luus fails to glance it away and Richa Ghosh also fails to stop it as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Reddy is holding her left side again, looking in a bit of discomfort.

9.4: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Touch fuller and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it aerially towards deep square leg for a run.

9.3: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length, follows the batter again into the leg side, Laura Wolvaardt has no room to work with and pats it to wide mid on again.

Uh, oh! This doesn't look good for India Women. Arundhati Reddy seems to be in some pain with a side strain or a back pain and the physio comes out to check on her. The umpires use this opportunity to call for DRINKS as well. South Africa Women are certainly ahead in the game as India were 82/2 after 10 overs and the Proteas are already 104/0 in 9.2 overs, with 89 more needed off 64 balls. However, in a big chase like this, one wicket could shift the momentum and the Indians will be hoping to break this opening stand as soon as possible. On the other hand, Laura Wolvaardt will be looking to keep the pressure on the fielding side. Thankfully, Reddy is good to continue as well.

9.2: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Follows the batter, serves this full and angling into leg, Laura Wolvaardt clips it to wide mid on.

9.1: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Hard length and outside off, Sune Luus reaches out and stabs it towards extra cover for a single.

8.6: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Sune Luus swipes it to deep fine leg for one more.

8.5: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Sune Luus goes for the reverse sweeep but gets a bottom edge as the ball stops on the pitch.

8.4: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Flighted, full and on off, Laura Wolvaardt goes down and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

8.3: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Looped up, full and on middle and leg. Sune Luus gets tangled up trying to tuck it away. Gets a top edge but it flies over Deepti's head. They cross.

8.2: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, FOUR! Picks the gap beautifully! Floated, full nd on middle and leg. Sune Luus gets down on one knee and nails the sweep between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 100 UP FOR SA WOMEN. Also, consecutive 100-run stands between these two openers.

8.1: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Tossed up, full and on off, Sune Luus uses her feet and drills it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Deepti Sharma comes on to replace Shreyanka Patil in the attack.

7.6: Shafali Verma to Sune Luus, Pushed through quicker, fullish and on middle, Sune Luus eases it down to long on for one more.

7.5: Shafali Verma to Laura Wolvaardt, Another short delivery, on off, Laura Wolvaardt slaps it to long on for one.

7.4: Shafali Verma to Sune Luus, Keeps the length short, on middle, Sune Luus moves back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

7.3: Shafali Verma to Laura Wolvaardt, Dragged back, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt swats it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

7.2: Shafali Verma to Sune Luus, Short again and on middle, Sune Luus pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

7.1: Shafali Verma to Sune Luus, FOUR! Put away with ease! Floated short but way down the leg side, begging to be hit. Sune Luus just helps it to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.

There's a bit of a halt in the play. It looks like the batters are rehydrating themselves and the fielding side seems to be gathering together to reconsider their bowling plans a bit. Will this break cause a shift in momentum? Also, Shafali Verma is brought into the attack now.

6.6: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Clever batting! Flatter, full and around leg, Laura Wolvaardt gets inside the line of it and scoops it past short fine for a boundary. 13 runs off Patil's first over!

6.5: Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, Dragged back and around off, Laura Wolvaardt opens the face of the bat and steers it wide of backward point. Renuka Singh Thakur dives to her right and gets a hand on it to push it away. Two taken.

6.4: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Short and on middle, Sune Luus pulls it away to deep square leg, where the fielder does well to watch the spin and stop it. A single taken.

6.3: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, DROPPED AND SIX! Another chance goes begging here! Tossed up, full and on middle, Sune Luus goes down and connects well with the slog sweep. It flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Jemimah Rodrigues is standing a few yards ahead of the ropes. She leaps up and tries to grab it with both hands above her head but the ball bursts through and goes over the fence for a biggie. If she was standing near the ropes, this would have been an easy catch.

6.2: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Flighted, full and on off, Sune Luus uses her feet but drills it straight back to the bowler.

6.1: Shreyanka Patil to Sune Luus, Floated, full and on middle, turns in, Sune Luus goes down but paddles it to short fine.

5.6: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Easy pickings! A juicy full toss, on off. Laura Wolvaardt is not going to miss out on that and thumps it over the mid off fielder for four more runs. South Africa Women are 72/0 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Touch fuller and on off, Sune Luus drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

5.4: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, On a length and around off, Sune Luus pushes it to cover.

5.3: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched up and on middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt swipes it away to deep square leg for a single.

5.2: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! FIFTY FOR WOLVAARDT! Three half-centuries on the trot for the Protea skipper. She gets to it in just 23 balls as well, the fastest for South Africa Women in this format, breaking her own record. Short of a length and around middle, Laura Wolvaardt gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. Laura is putting on a show yet again.

5.1: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Finds the fielder! Fuller and around off, Laura Wolvaardt backs away and drills it really hard but straight to mid off.

4.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Good running. Pitched up on middle and leg, slogged away between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

4.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Full and angled into the toes, Wolvaardt hits it down to long on for a single.

4.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! The keeper yells, 'Nahi baba,' meaning 'not this ball,' to the bowler. Slower one, slightly short and wide outside off. Wolvaardt backs away and scythes it over cover-point for yet another boundary.

4.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Laura Wolvaardt is unstoppable right now. Renuka errs on the fuller side and serves a low full toss on middle and leg. Wolvaardt drills it back past the non-striker and picks up four more runs.

4.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! That's gone like a tracer bullet and into the stands. Length again, at the stumps, Laura Wolvaardt makes a bit of room and pummels it across and over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. The smile on Laura's face indicates she enjoyed that one. The 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

4.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Length ball at the stumps, heaved across the line to deep mid-wicket for a rn by Sune Luus.

3.6: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Juicy full toss, on middle and leg, helped down to long leg for a single.

3.5: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, DROPPED! Oh, that should have been taken and that could be a huge miss for India. Fuller and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt looks to hit it over the off side but mistimes the ball towards wide mid off. Smriti Mandhana at extra cover, moves to her right and reaches out with both hands but ends up spilling it. They get a single as well.

3.4: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Wolvaardt backs away to swat it across the line, but hits it between mid-wicket and mid on. Deepti Sharma at mid-wicket now, springs to her left and makes a half-stop. 

3.3: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! That's gone through. Good length on middle, Laura Wolvaardt gets forward well and powers it low to the left of mid-wicket for a boundary.

3.2: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched fuller and on the pads, Wolvaardt works it 'round the corner and gets it to the left of Renuka Singh Thakur at short fine leg for a couple of runs.

3.1: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Luus will feel she should have put that away. Full toss on middle, slogged away to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Arundhati Reddy replaces Kashvee Gautam.

2.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Shortish length, on off, dragged across to deep mid-wicket for a single by Sune Luus. South Africa Women are flying at 35/0 after 3 overs.

2.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, On a good length and outside off, Luus goes after the cut shot but misses.

2.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched fuller and outside off, punched away to deep cover for a single.

2.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! That's dismissive from Wolvaardt, she's on fire here. Good length on middle, Wolvaardt stands tall, swings across the line and launches the ball over wide long on for a biggie.

2.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Play and a miss. Good length, wide outside off, this one nibbles away slightly off the deck. Wolvaardt looks to cut but misses.

2.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Pitched full and outside off, Sune Luus drills the cover drive but Smriti Mandhana at cover, dives to her left and makes a half-stop. Single taken.

1.6: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Laura Wolvaardt is just toying with the field, 17 off the over. Wolvaardt backs away nice and early, gets a shortish ball outside off and slaps it between cover and cover-point for a boundary.

1.5: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length and outside off, shaping away, Wolvaardt taps it to cover.

1.4: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Swatted down the ground this time. Fuller in length again, angling in from middle. Wolvaardt clears the front lge, swings through the line and hammes it over mid on for another boundary. 13 off the over already.

1.3: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Up and over. Pitched fuller and well outside off, Laura Wolvaardt goes after the width, stays still and nails it over extra cover for a boundary.

1.3: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, FIVE WIDES! Wolvaardt backs away a bit and Gautam tries to push it wider of the off stump. However, this lands beyond the tramline and skids through, beating the keeper to roll away into the deep third fence.

1.2: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, A low full toss now, around off and swinging in. Laura reaches for it and toe-ends the ball to mid on once again.

1.1: Kashvee Gautam to Laura Wolvaardt, Gautam starts with a full-pitched delivery on middle. Wolvaardt swats the drive across and straight to mid on.

0.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Tight line on middle, fullish length as well, nudged into the leg side by Luus. 9 off the first over of the chase.

Good start from South Africa Women!

0.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, WIDE! Half a shout for a caught behind but the umpire is having none of it. Skiddy length, just angles down the leg side. Luus looks to tickle it fine but misses. Might have just grazed the thigh pad.

0.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, WIDE! Oh, too much swing and that's a good take from the keeper. Pitched up on middle, darts well down the leg side. Luus is caught out of her crease for a moment but gets the back leg in before Richa Ghosh dislodges the bails.

0.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Shortish length, wide outside off, Wolvaardt reaches out and cuts it to the left of deep point for one more.

0.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length, darted into middle and leg, Wolvaardt taps it across to short mid-wicket.

0.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Back of a length, over middle, Sune Luus works it across to deep square leg and picks up a single to get off the mark.

0.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, The keeper is now standing up. Fullish length, shaping into the stumps, Wolvaardt tucks it neatly to the left of the short fine leg fielder and picks up a single.

0.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! What a start to the chase. Good-length delivery, slanted back into the batter but doesn't rise much. Laura Wolvaardt stays put and does well to tap it across into the big gap at mid-wicket and the ball runs away to the fence.

We are back for the chase. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of India Women. It will be the duo of Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus to open the innings for South Africa Women. Renuka Singh Thakur will start proceedings with the ball for India. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

A day to forget with the ball - South Africa Women will be disappointed with their effort with the ball. They couldn’t find early breakthroughs, and although Nonkululeko Mlaba gave them a glimmer of hope with a double-wicket over, they failed to sustain the pressure. A few dropped chances in the field didn’t help either, an area that has been a recurring concern. Nadine de Klerk chipped in with another wicket, but they leaked far too many runs at the death to keep things under control. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Shafali shines, skipper takes charge - India Women once again got off to a brisk start and this time made it count, going past 50 in the Powerplay without losing a wicket. Smriti Mandhana couldn’t convert her start, but Shafali Verma carried on her fine form with a back-to-back half-century. After her departure, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took charge, unleashing a blistering 66 off 38 balls, while Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with a powerful cameo to cap off a strong batting display.

Finishing kick powers India - A much-improved batting effort from India Women, especially at the death where they’ve struggled in this series. A strong finish saw them pile on 54 runs in the last five overs, setting a daunting target and leaving the Protea Women with a steep chase ahead.

19.6: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! HARMANPREET KAUR IS RUN OUT! They had to go for the second run, which just wasn't there, and India Women finish with 192/4 on the board, their highest total against South Africa Women in a T20 match. Shorter one dragged down outside off, Kaur fetches the ball and pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Nadine De Klerk runs around and picks it up, firing a throw at the keeper's end. Sinalo Jafta picks it up and flicks the ball onto the stumps with Kaur well out of the crease.

19.5: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! Harmanpreet Kaur is on a roll. A juicy full toss, angling into the pads, dispatched over the long leg fence for a biggie by Kaur.

19.4: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, Nicely bowled. Full and just outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur looks to smash it through covers but misses.

19.3: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! She's got a hold of that, alright. Slower one, in the slot and angling in. Harmanpreet Kaur backs away a bit, keeps her shape and muscles it handsomely over the mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

19.2: Tumi Sekhukhune to Richa Ghosh, Oh, that could have been a run-out. Slower one, into the pitch, Ghosh looks to pull but miscues it to the right of the keeper. Harmanpreet Kaur calls for the single but Ghosh is unaware and the keeper misses the shy at the batting end with both batter's stranded in the middle. They eventually do get the single.

19.1: Tumi Sekhukhune to Richa Ghosh, In the air, hangs for a long time but falls short of the onrushing fielder. Length ball on middle, Richa Ghosh picks it up and hacks it to the leg side. The ball goes a long way up and over mid-wicket. Nadine De Klerk comes in and dives but can't get to it. The batters pick up two runs.

18.6: Ayanda Hlubi to Richa Ghosh, Full and straight again, nearly in the blockhole. This is heaved across to deep mid-wicket for one more. 13 off the over.

18.5: Ayanda Hlubi to Harmanpreet Kaur, Full on off and middle, driven back past the bowler and down to long off for a single.

18.4: Ayanda Hlubi to Richa Ghosh, DROPPED! A rather very difficult chance, but Laura Wolvaardt has put it down. Full and straight, Richa Ghosh comes forward and nails the cover drive, uppishly and to the right of covers. Laura Wolvaardt springs to her right and tries to grab it with both hands but spills it. Single taken.

18.3: Ayanda Hlubi to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Over the off side this time. Attempted slower one on off, Ghosh stays leg side of the ball and slams it over cover-point for a boundary.

18.2: Ayanda Hlubi to Richa Ghosh, SIX! Wow, that is massive. Back of a length, angled into the batter. Richa Ghosh comes down the pitch and just clobbers the ball over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

18.1: Ayanda Hlubi to Richa Ghosh, A slower bumper, dug in well short and just outside off. Richa Ghosh reaches up to ramp but fails to get a bat on it.

Ayanda Hlubi to bowl the 19th over of the innings.

17.6: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! FIFTY FOR HARMANPREET KAUR! De Klerk offers a tossed up delivery, on off. Kaur's eyes light up watching the half-volley. She clears her front foot and swings it down the ground, over the head of the bowler for four runs. Certainly a captain's inning from the skipper of India Women.

17.5: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, Full, on off, Richa Ghosh nudges it to mid-wicket and gets across for a single.

17.4: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short of a length, on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur gets low and slogs it to wide of long on for a single.

17.3: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Fuller, on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball just trickles into the leg side.

17.2: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, DROPPED! This is a good-length delivery, on leg and moving down the leg side. Kaur shuffles across the stumps and looks to flick, but misses the connection and gets some gloves on it. The keeper moves to her left but fails to glove it safely.

17.2: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, WIDE! Pitches it up, but sprays it down the leg side. Kaur looks to flick but misses.

17.1: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, Full, around off, Ghosh drives it to deep cover for one.

16.6: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! This is Harmanpreet Kaur at her best! Full toss from Tryon to end the over, on middle and leg, angling in. Kaur once again crouches low and sweeps it past the short fine leg fielder for four more runs.

16.5: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, On a length, wide outside off, Kaur cuts it to cover.

16.4: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Runs are flowing thick and fast now. Short of a length once again from Tryon, around off. Harmanpreet Kaur gets down on one knee and sweeps it hard into the vast gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for four runs.

16.3: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short again, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur eases it to cover.

16.2: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short and wide outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur punches it to cover.

16.1: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Short and punished! Chloe Tryon starts with a short delivery, on off. Harmanpreet Kaur loads her arms and unleashes the pull shot toward the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder. She tried to sprint to her left and use her left foot to slide and stop the ball, but failed to do so.

15.6: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Oh, a misfield, otherwise it could have been a tight single. Length ball on the pads, nudged away to the left of short fine leg and the batters set off for the single. Nonkululeko Mlaba fails to pick it up cleanly and the batters make it through with ease.

15.5: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, Full and wide outside off, driven to deep cover for a single.

A timely breakthrough for South Africa Women. Richa Ghosh is the next batter in.

15.4: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, OUT! CAUGHT! The bumper has finally brought South Africa Women some joy and Shafali Verma now walks back after a fine knock. This is dug in well short by Nadine De Klerk, right at the batter and around helmet-height. Shafali Verma looks to hook but gets a top edge that flies down to deep square leg. Annerie Dercksen takes a good low catch in front of her and it marks the end of a 73-run stand.

15.3: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Yorker-length, bowled on middle and leg, Kaur digs it out in front of square leg and picks up a single.

15.2: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, A big swing and a miss. The in-between length, just outside off. Kaur gets side on to swing it over mid-wicket but is beaten by the extra bounce.

15.1: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Pitched full on off and middle, hammered away wide to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

Nadine De Klerk comes back into the attack.

14.6: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Oh, that's a good change-up from Hlubi. Bowled just back of a length and on off, but really slow. Verma backs away to slap it through the off side but misses it by a mile.

14.5: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Fuller one, attacking middle and leg, Verma backs away, goes on one knee and swats it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Tazmin Brits sprints to her left and slides across the turf to keep it down to two runs.

14.4: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Well bowled. A well-directed bumper, on middle, Shafali Verma ducks under it.

14.3: Ayanda Hlubi to Harmanpreet Kaur, Slower one, slightly back of a length and on middle, Kaur waits back before pushing it down through mid on for a run.

14.2: Ayanda Hlubi to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Delicately played by Kaur. Back of a length and outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur gets on her toes, hangs back and just stabs it down between backward point and short third. Annerie Dercksen at the former position chases after it but the ball wins the race.

14.1: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Pitched fuller and around off, Verma stays put and heaves it down to long on for a single.

13.6: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Excellent shot! Sekhukhune pitches it up, fuller, on off. Harmanpreet Kaur clears her front foot and whacks it through the off side. The ball finds the gap between backward point and cover and races toward the fence for four more runs. 

13.5: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, Short of a length, outside off, Shafali Verma pulls it wide of long on for a single.

13.4: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Oh, a top effort in the deep, but it goes in vain. Slower delivery, on a good length and around middle. Shafali Verma picks it up and hoicks it across the line, flat as well. Nadine De Klerk at the mid-wicket fence charges in and dives forward but the ball lands short and goes through to the fence. The bowler doesn't seem too pleased.

13.3: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, Full, on leg, Harmanpreet Kaur knocks it to long on for a single.

13.2: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, Put down! Short and wide outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur slaps it hard toward cover. Sune Luus is the fielder who stretches her right hand over to grab, but the ball bursts through her fingertips. Two runs taken between the sticks.

13.1: Tumi Sekhukhune to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! This is easy pickings for Kaur! A slower one to start the over, on a good length, around the pads. Harmanpreet Kaur swipes it neatly toward the left of the short fine leg fielder and gets the boundary. That will bring up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

12.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Picks the gap well, does Verma, and India Women are really starting to shift gears now. Full and on the stumps, Shafali Verma plays a wristy whip and gets it perfectly between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

12.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, That's a beauty! Mlaba slows it up and floats it on a quarter length on off. Shafali Verma leans on to block but the ball grips and turns away with extra bounce, beating the outside edge.

12.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, fuller, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur punches it to sweeper cover and gets a comfortable single.

12.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Full, just outside off, Shafali Verma punches it past the cover fielder for a single.

12.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, FOUR! FIFTY FOR SHAFALI VERMA! Back-to-back half-centuries for her. This is fuller, just outside off, offering a bit of flight. Verma brings out his front foot and plays inside out over, cover for four runs. She lifts her willow up and soaks in all the applause from the fans as well as from the pavilion.

12.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, fuller, outside off. Kaur punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Another bowling change? Nope. Nonkululeko Mlaba to bowl out here.

11.6: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, full and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur goes down for the swipe but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for one.

11.5: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! Sheer power! Chloe Tryon drops it short again and around off. Harmanpreet Kaur is expecting that length. She moves back and uses all her shoulder strength to dispatch it over the long off fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR INDIA WOMEN.

11.4: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Another dragged down delivery, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur stabs it to extra cover.

11.3: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Quicker, shortish and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur steers it to point.

11.2: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short again and outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur cuts it away wide of deep point. Kaur wants the second but there is a bit of a mix-up. However, the throw from Laura Wolvaardt is not a good one and Kaur makes her ground easily.

11.1: Chloe Tryon to Shafali Verma, Short and on middle, keeps a bit low, Shafali Verma moves back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Chloe Tryon to turn her arm over now. Tryon is the 7th bowler used by South Africa today.

10.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Drags her length back, on middle, Shafali Verma nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

10.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, SIX! That's a top shot! Flighted delivery, full and around off, Shafali Verma backs away to free her arms. She hits it through the line and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

10.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit short and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it to cover for a run.

10.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Lucky! Floaed, full and on middle and leg, turns away again. Harmanpreet Kaur goes down for the sweep but gets a bottom edge onto his back foot. She gets lucky as the ball was rolling straight into the stumps.

10.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Beauty! Tossed up, full and on middle, grips and turns away sharply. Harmanpreet Kaur stays back and looks to tuck it away but gets an outside edge. It rolls wide of short third, but Annerie Dercksen gives a good chase to keep it down to two runs.

10.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Very slow through the air, short and around off, Shafali Verma has to wait for it before she muscles it to long on for a single.

DRINKS! At the halfway mark in the first innings and India Women are going along at a very decent rate, being 82/2 at the moment. South Africa Women have bowled well in patches but Smriti Mandhana managed to find boundaries early on and even though Shafali Verma hasn't found her timing, she's unbeaten on 38 off 31 and the more she stays at the crease, the more the Proteas will worry. Anything around 160-170 could be a solid total and both teams will be looking to garner momentum heading into the innings interval. Let's see how the next phase pans out.

9.6: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, Overpitched and on middle, Shafali Verma drills it to long on for one more.

9.5: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Streaky! A slower one, full and around off, Shafali Verma looks to drag it to the leg side but gets a top edge. It flies over the keeper's head and to the third man fence for another boundary.

9.5: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, WIDE! A bouncer now, on middle, Shafali Verma ducks under it. Sinalo Jafta does well to collect it, standing up to the stumps. Called a wide for height.

9.4: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, Super effort in the deep! Just back of a length and on middle, Shafali Verma gets low and heaves it away behind square on the leg side. It races through the turf, but Annerie Dercksen puts in a great dive to her right and makes the stop. Saves two runs for her side.

9.3: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Fuller and on the pads, Harmanpreet Kaur tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

9.2: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, Pitched up and on middle, Shafali Verma whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.1: Nadine De Klerk to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Almost another one but Shafali Verma gets away with it! Fuller in length and on middle, angling in a bit. Shafali crouches low and swipes it uppishly wide of deep square leg. The fielder runs to her left and dives but just fails to reach it and the ball goes away for a boundary.

Nadine De Klerk to have a bowl for the first time in this game.

8.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit short and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays back and steers it to point.

8.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, No hat-trick! Slower through the air, full and on off, turns away, Harmanpreet Kaur watches it through and fends it to the off side.

The Indian skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, walks out to face the hat-trick delivery.

8.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Jemimah Rodrigues, OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Nonkululeko Mlaba, and the crowd has found its voice again. This is flighted, full and on middle, turns away a bit. Jemimah Rodrigues straightaway goes down for the sweep but the ball bounces a bit more to catch the top edge. It lobs up to the left of short fine, where Kayla Reyneke runs to that side and takes a dolly. Mlaba on a hat-trick now.

South Africa have their first breakthrough and out walks the new batter. It is Jemimah Rodrigues at number 3.

8.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! TAKEN! Nonkululeko Mlaba gets a massive wicket here. She tosses it up, full and around middle, enticing the batter. Smriti Mandhana skips down the track to heave it across the line but fails to get to the pitch of it. She still goes through the shot but has to drag it and does not get the elevation. It flies flat and aerially towards deep mid-wicket, where Nadine De Klerk dives to her front and takes a fine catch. Mandhana once again fails to convert her start in this series.

8.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Floated, short and on middle and leg, Shafali Verma punches it down to long on for a single.

8.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Fine shot! Flatter and shorter, just outside off. Shafali Verma backs away and opens the face of her bat. Cuts it away crisply past point for a boundary.

7.6: Kayla Reyneke to Shafali Verma, Quicker and flatter, outside off, Shafali Verma pats it to long off for a single.

7.5: Kayla Reyneke to Smriti Mandhana, Short, around the hips of the batter, Smriti Mandhana flicks it to sqaure leg for one.

7.4: Kayla Reyneke to Smriti Mandhana, Flighted and fuller, on off, Smriti Mandhana lunges and looks to drive it through cover, but gets a thick inside edge. The ball rolls towards square leg. 

7.3: Kayla Reyneke to Shafali Verma, Pitches it up, just outside off, Shafali Verma slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.2: Kayla Reyneke to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, on leg, Smriti Mandhana sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

7.1: Kayla Reyneke to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Mandhana finds the gap! Kayla Reyneke delivers a short-length delivery, outside off. Smriti Mandhana puts her weight on the back foot and cuts it into the gap between cover and point for a boundary.

Kayla Reyneke has been introduced into the attack now.

6.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, outside off, Smriti Mandhana pushes it to long off and gets across for one run.

6.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Flatter and fuller, around off, Shafali Verma punches it to the right of cover and gets a single.

6.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Just outside off, shorter in length, Shafali Verma goes deep into the crease and cuts it to Laura Wolvaardt in covers.

6.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Much fuller now, with some flight to offer, just outside off. Shafali Verma drills it but finds the fielder in the mid off region.

6.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Smriti Mandhana, Short again, around off, Smriti Mandhana hangs back and punches it to long off for a single.

6.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Shafali Verma, Mlaba starts with a short-length delivery, around the leg pole. Shafali Verma makes room and slaps it through covers for one.

For the first time in this series, South Africa Women have not picked up any wickets in the Powerplay. It has been a fine start from the Indian openers, and they will look to build on this now. We will see some spin right after the field restrictions have been lifted. Nonkululeko Mlaba has been given the ball now.

5.6: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Top shot to end the Powerplay and Smriti Mandhana also brings up the 50 for India Women. Overpitched around off, Mandhana backs away well and gets her hands through the punchy and slightly lofted drive through extra covers, picking up four runs.

5.5: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, A bit slower now, bowled fuller on leg, Mandhana plays it back to the bowler.

5.4: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! Breaking the shackles. Fuller in length, straighter too. Mandhana goes on one knee, clears the front leg and heaves it over the square leg fence for a biggie.

5.3: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, Length again, in and around off, pushed out into the off side.

5.2: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, BYE! Good length, in the channel, Verma has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten. The keeper fumbles the ball towards short fine leg and the batters collect a bye.

5.2: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, WIDE! Full and angled down the leg side, skids through. Shafali Verma looks to go one knee and slog it away but misses. Sharp take from Sinalo Jafta behind the stumps.

5.1: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, Pitched a tad fuller on middle, shaping back in, Mandhana lets the ball come on before flicking it away through mid-wicket for a run.

Change of ends for Tumi Sekhukhune.

4.6: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, Short of a length, on leg, Mandhana gets a bit ide on as se plays a controlled pull shot to deep square leg for a single.

4.5: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Pitched full and on middle and leg, Verma takes the front leg out, leans ahead and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.4: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, On a hard length on middle, darts back in, Verma awkwardly looks to hoick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

4.4: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, WIDE! Too high again. Dug in well short and angled down leg, Verma ducks under it well.

4.3: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, Should have been a dot ball. Good length around off, patted down towards cover, where Tazmin Brits fumbles and allows a single.

4.2: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, Gets away with this one, does Hlubi. Shortish length on the pads again, flicked away but straight to Tumi Sekhukhune at short fine leg.

4.1: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Nicely done. Back of a length and on leg, Mandhana walks down the pitch and whips it off the hips and well to the left of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Ayanda Hlubi is back on.

3.6: Annerie Dercksen to Smriti Mandhana, On a length, on stumps, Smriti Mandhana pushes it wide of mid on for one.

3.5: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Back of a length, angling in, on middle and leg. Shafali Verma pulls it to square leg to get across for a single.

3.4: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Shortish again, outside off, Shafali Verma looks to upper cut but misses the connection.

3.3: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Bumper from Dercksen, outside off, Shafali Verma rocks back and mistimes her slap to the left of mid off. Verma is really unhappy for not finding the timing right.

3.2: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, On a length, around off, Shafali Verma defends it to cover.

3.1: Annerie Dercksen to Smriti Mandhana, Short of a length, outside off, Smriti Mandhana pulls it down to deep square leg for a single.

3.1: Annerie Dercksen to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! Full and wide outside off, beyond the tramline. Smriti Mandhana leaves this one. 

2.6: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, SIX! BANG! Tumi Sekhukhune delivers it fuller, angling in on middle and leg. Shafali Verma clears her front foot and slogs it up and over the deep mid-wicket fence for the first biggie of the game. 

2.5: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, A slower one now, just outside off, Shafali Verma opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third.

2.4: Tumi Sekhukhune to Shafali Verma, Sekhukhune drags her length back, just outside off. Shafali Verma rocks back and punches it to cover.

2.3: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, Around the pads of the batter, pitching it up. Smriti Mandhana rolls her wrists and clips it through square leg for a single.

2.2: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller again, on the middle stump. Smriti Mandhana lunges and defends it straight back to the bowler.

2.1: Tumi Sekhukhune to Smriti Mandhana, Tumi Sekhukhune starts from over the wicket to the left-hander. Pitches it fuller, on leg. Smriti Mandhana nudges it to mid-wicket.

First bowling change as Tumi Sekhukhune replaces Ayanda Hlubi. The keeper is up to the stumps.

1.6: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Another dot to end, India Women are 19/0 after 2.

1.5: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Well bowled. Another short ball, over off and middle, Verma gets low to ramp it over short third but misses.

1.5: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, WIDE! Too high. Dug in short again, on off stump but this one sails well over the batter.

1.4: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Verma backs away early and Dercksen digs it in well short over middle, slower too. Verma has to reach for it and just dabs it down into the off side.

1.3: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Oh, this is an aggressive start from India with the bat. Fullish length on leg, Verma backs away a fair bit before drilling the ball between mid on and mid-wicket for another boundary.

1.2: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, Good length, angled in towards middle stump, Verma flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

1.1: Annerie Dercksen to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Too much width on offer. Back of a length and wide outside off, Shafali Verma waits back and angles the ball down in between point and short third and picks up a boundary.

Annerie Dercksen to share the attack.

0.6: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Given as runs and Verma is off the mark as well. Shorter and on middle, Verma walks inside the line to pull but only gets a glove on it and the ball lobs well short of short fine leg. She gets a single as well.

0.5: Ayanda Hlubi to Shafali Verma, Good length, on off and middle, shapes away a bit. Shafali Verma defends it with gentle hands and in front of point.

0.4: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, Dug in short on off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

0.3: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Oh, that's lovely timing from Mandhana. Slightly overpitched and around off, Smriti leans on and strokes it away through the gap at covers. Even with all the rain, the ball races away to the fence.

0.2: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, Much better from Hlubi. Good-length delivery, around the top of off, Mandhana defends it to covers.

0.1: Ayanda Hlubi to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Just out of reach. Short of a length to begin with, wide outside off. This one shapes away and Smriti Mandhana goes after it but gets a top edge that goes over the fielder at short third for a boundary. India Women are up and running.

We are all set to begin now! Just a slight delay, but importantly, we have not lost any overs due to it. Now, the South Africa Women players break from their huddle and spread out, taking up respective field positions. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana are the two destructive openers for India Women. Ayanda Hlubi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

The captain of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur starts off saying that if they'd won the toss, they'd have bowled first, given the conditions. But adds that it's a great challenge to bat and she hopes her team does well. She reckons they need to get the basics right, which they've struggled with in the last two games, and doing small things right will help. Ends up saying that there are two team changes in the playing XI, Shree Charani and Anushka Sharma are resting, as Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam will fill their spots.

The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that they will bowl first as the pitch has been under covers and there's been some rain around as well. Adds that they have had two great games, but India is a great side, and they will need to tick all the boxes yet again to get another win. Goes on to say that they are still looking for the perfect game and informs that there are a couple of changes in the side.

India Women (Playing XI) - Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Bharti Fulmali (In for Anushka Sharma), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam (In for Kranti Gaud), Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, and Renuka Singh Thakur (In for Sree Charani).

South Africa Women (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke (In for Anneke Bosch), Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Ayanda Hlubi (In for Ayabonga Khaka), Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nonkululeko Mlaba.

TOSS - South Africa Women have won the toss and will BOWL first.