South Africa vs India, 5th Women's T20I: Highlights from Benoni

Proteas Women rejoice - That's it from this series and there's just one thing left to do - Laura Wolvaardt collects the series-winning Trophy and joins her teammates as they celebrate a fine series victory over a strong opponent. It is now time to say goodbye, but first let's have a look at what these two teams will be up to next. South Africa Women will have a bit of a break now and start their preparation for the T20 World Cup, due to begin in June. On the other hand, India Women will also have a break before heading to England a bit early, as they will be playing a white-ball series against the World Cup hosts England just before the mega event. That is all from us, hope you enjoyed the coverage. Until next time then, take care and goodbye.

Laura Wolvaardt - Player of the Series! The skipper of South Africa Women, Laura Wolvaardt, gets the accolade for the Player of the Match for her stellar knock of 92 unbeaten runs off just 56 balls. She is also named the Player of the Series for accumulating 330 runs over the course of the 5 matches. Wolvaardt says that she is very happy. Coming off a tough series against New Zealand and turning it around here was pretty good. Adds that winning all the tosses certainly helped, and a couple of things went her way, which was great. Mentions that the wicket here tends to be flat but being the end of the season, they thought it would stay low and slow, so picked the team according to that. Shares that there is always room for improvement, they want to be better in the fielding department going into the World Cup. Ends by saying that it was a brilliant series, the crowd was superb and they loved playing in front of them.

The captain of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of India Women says it was disappointing to lose, but she is optimistic for giving all the players a chance in the series. Adds that they didn't score many in the Powerplay and lost two wickets, which didn't help in the chase. Feels there are a lot of learnings from this series. They have a keen understanding of how South Africa Women play, they know their plans and that will help during the mega event. Ends by appreciating the support from the fans and hopes they keep supporting.

The Presentation ceremony...

Let's recap the first innings - Earlier in the day, Laura Wolvaardt won a fifth straight toss in this series and opted to bat first for the first time. Wolvaardt led from the front but the other batters struggled to find their timing. However, Sune Luus did manage to stick around for a long while as the opening duo added 75 runs. The Indian spinners showed their class in the middle overs as Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma picked up a couple of wickets each, so did pacer Renuka Singh Thakur, but they leaked runs right at the death, allowing the hosts to get to a total in excess of 150 runs.

India's concerns with the bat keep mounting - India Women have certainly been out-batted throughout this series and barring a couple of knocks here and there, the batting order simply hasn't clicked as a unit. Shafali Verma fell early and Jemimah Rodrigues soon followed suit as the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The highest stand was between skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Bharti Fulmali, worth 38 runs, and the latter did score a handy 40, but it wasn't enough. Richa Ghosh came way too late to make a real impact but she did stay unbeaten on 25 off just 15 balls, and maybe she could have been pushed up the order a bit.

Another box ticked for South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt won yet another toss in this series, and for the first time, she elected to defend a score rather than chase it, and her bowlers have certainly stepped up. The score on the board was a good one given the nature of the surface but one good partnership, or one big knock, and it could have been gunned down. It was an all-round bowling effort and barring Annerie Dercksen, everyone contributed with at least one wicket and were fairly economical. Eliz-Mari Marx got the crucial early breakthrough and it was Nonkululeko Mlaba who was the pick of the bowlers, picking up a couple of wickets for just 15 runs in her four overs.

Proteas win big in Benoni - South Africa Women had already sealed the series in the third game, but they have ended up being 4-1 winners of this five-match T20I series. This win against the reigning ODI World Champions will give them a lot of confidence heading into the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, India Women will take this series as a pinch of salt and will look to get back to their best as they continue their preparation for the upcoming mega event.

19.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Sree Charani, A dot to end the game! SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN WIN BY 23 RUNS! Ayabonga Khaka bowls a good wide yorker, outside off, Sree Charani backs away and throws her bat at it but fails to reach it. 

19.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Richa Ghosh, Fuller and on off, Richa Ghosh forces it to wide long off for one.

19.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Richa Ghosh, Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle, Richa Ghosh goes for the pull shot but gets a top edge. It goes in the air but lands over the fielder at short fine. Two taken.

19.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Richa Ghosh, SIX! Gets hold of that one! A full toss, on middle leg. Richa Ghosh makes the most of it and smacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

19.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Sree Charani, Touch fuller and around off, Sree Charani lofts it over extra covers for a run.

19.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Richa Ghosh, Back of a length and on middle, Richa Ghosh punches it to long on for a single. She wants the second but the fielder is quick to throw the ball back.

19.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Sree Charani, Two wides! Fuller and well outside off, Sree Charani misses and the keeper also makes a half stop. A wide given and a bye taken.

Ayabonga Khaka (3-0-16-1) will close out the series with the ball.

18.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Richa Ghosh, Almost another wicket for Nonkululeko Mlaba! She gives this one some more air, full and around off, turns away. Richa Ghosh uses her feet and tries to swipe it away but misses. Sinalo Jafta collects the ball and breaks the stumps, looking very confident. However, the replay shows that Ghosh put her bat down in time. 

Is that gone? There's an appeal for a stumping and the umpires have gone upstairs. It seems close, but replays confirm that Richa Ghosh got her bat down before Sinalo Jafta dislodged the bails. NOT OUT.

India Women are falling apart at the death. Sree Charani is the next batter.

18.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Kranti Gaud, OUT! KRANTI GAUD IS RUN OUT! Nonkululeko Mlaba loops it up, full and on middle, Gaud pushes it back to the bowler. However, as soon as she hits it, Richa Ghosh sets off for the run to get back strike. Gaud takes off, seeing that she sacrifices her wicket. She had no chance of getting to the other end, as Mlaba breaks the stumps with ease. India Women are 119/8 now.

18.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Kranti Gaud, Floated, full and around off, Kranti Gaud uses her feet and swings at it but fails to connect. She does well to get back to her crease.

18.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Kranti Gaud, Short and around off, Kranti Gaud punches it to extra cover.

18.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Kranti Gaud, Beauty! Slows it up, full and on off, turns away sharply. Kranti Gaud has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Kranti Gaud is in at number 9 for India.

18.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Arundhati Reddy, OUT! CASTLED! Nonkululeko Mlaba has her second of the game now. She tosses it up, full and on middle, does not turn much. Arundhati Reddy dances down the track to smash it over mid-wicket, but ends up playing all over it. The ball goes through and rattles into the middle stump. India are seven down now.

Nonkululeko Mlaba is back on to bowl the 19th over.

17.6: Nadine De Klerk to Arundhati Reddy, Gets away with it!  A loopy full toss, around leg, Arundhati Reddy backs away and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for just one. 37 needed in 12 balls!

The next batter is Arundhati Reddy. There is a bit of lightning around now as well. Initially, the umpires halted play and the covers started coming on. However, pretty quickly, the umpires took a U-turn and we are good to play again.

17.5: Nadine De Klerk to Deepti Sharma, OUT! STUMPED! Nadine De Klerk gets her second and the star of the last match is gone now. Pitched up and around off, angles it away, keeping it out of the reach of the batter. Deepti Sharma skips down the track, stays leg side and has a slog across the line but misses it completely. Sinalo Jafta, the keeper, who is standing up to the stumps, collects it sharply and breaks the stumps with Deepti out of her crease.

17.4: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, Nails the yorker, on middle and leg, Richa Ghosh jams it out to long on for one.

17.3: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Fuller one and on middle, Richa Ghosh gets down for the slog sweep. Gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for another boundary.

17.2: Nadine De Klerk to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Excellent shot! Flatter delivery, full and outside off. Richa Ghosh gets her hands through the shot and slices it over extra cover for a boundary.

17.1: Nadine De Klerk to Deepti Sharma, Short and around off, Deepti Sharma punches it to cover-point for a single.

India Women need 48 more off 18 balls, and Nadine De Klerk comes back into the attack as well.

16.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Richa Ghosh, DROPPED! Richa Ghosh gets a life here! Flighted delivery, full and around off, Richa Ghosh backs away to lift it but fails to get the timing and the ball flies in the air towards sweeper cover. Chloe Tryon comes forward but spills it out. Two taken. Could this be the turning point for India?

16.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Richa Ghosh, Three dots in a row! Slows it up, full and on off, Richa Ghosh pushes it to the left of the bowler.

16.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Richa Ghosh, Flatter, full and on middle, Richa Ghosh knocks it back to the bowler.

16.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Richa Ghosh, Dragged back, outside off, Richa Ghosh cuts it away but fails to beat backward point.

16.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Deepti Sharma, Floated, full and on middle, Deepti Sharma uses her feet and whips it wide of long on for a single. India Women need 50 runs in 22 balls now!

16.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Deepti Sharma, Sloppy! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Deepti Sharma goes down and paddles it towards short fine. Tumi Sekhukhune fails to read the spin and lets it through for a couple of runs.

Another bowling change? Yes, indeed. Nonkululeko Mlaba replaces Ayabonga Khaka in the attack.

15.6: Chloe Tryon to Richa Ghosh, Flatter delivery, on middle. Richa Ghosh taps it back on the track.

15.5: Chloe Tryon to Richa Ghosh, Slows up the pace and slides it on the pads. Ghosh looks to clip it away but misses.

15.4: Chloe Tryon to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Superb shot to get off the mark. The arm ball, fuller and in the slot, on middle. Richa Ghosh goes inside-out over cover and beats the fielder from long off as well. A boundary.

What a big wicket and at such a crucial time as well. Richa Ghosh now walks out to bat at number 7.

15.3: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, OUT! LBW! Huge appeal for LBW, up goes the finger. Chloe Tryon has made a habit of picking wickets at the right time. Flights it full and on middle, comes with the angle and was in line with the stumps. Bharti puts away her front leg to sweep but loses her shape as well. It rolls in and hits her on the pads. An appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. That front leg troubled Bharti Fulmali today. 

15.2: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up, full and on off, Bharti Fulmali goes inside out, extends her arms and lofts it cleanly over extra covers for a boundary.

15.1: Chloe Tryon to Deepti Sharma, Floated, full and on leg, Deepti Sharma swipes it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Laura Wolvaardt keeps ringing in the changes. Chloe Tryon is back on to bowl out. 19 runs off her 3 overs thus far.

14.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Bharti Fulmali, Oh, Bharti is living dangerously. A yorker-length delivery, angling down. Bharti Fulmali clears her front leg to whip it away but misses and also loses her control. She manages to keep her back foot inside the line.

14.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Deepti Sharma, Straighter delivery, on the pads. Sharma clips it to square leg and runs across for a single.

14.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Bharti Fulmali, Very full and on middle and leg, Fulmali drills it to long on for a single.

14.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Bharti Fulmali, A low full toss, dipping onto the pads. Bharti Fulmali tries to help it away but misses and wears it on the pads.

14.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Bharti Fulmali, Once again, Bharti Fulmali is beaten to the same line. Drifts in a fuller delivery, down leg. Bharti Fulmali clears her front leg to flick but misses.

14.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Bharti Fulmali, SIX! ALL THE WAY. Back of a length delivery on middle. Bharti Fulmali picks the slower delivery, gets low and powers it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Much needed.

Ayabonga Khaka (2-0-8-1) is back on.

13.6: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, A low full toss on middle and leg. Bharti Fulmali gets low and swipes it to deep square leg for one.

13.5: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, This is smart bowling! Bharti Fulmali opens her body once again, Nadine drifts it into the pads, giving no room to hit away. Gets hit on the pads as it rolls on the leg side.

13.4: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Beaten for pace! Slower length delivery, tailing on leg. Bharti opens up her body to heave but misses.

13.3: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Angles it full and on middle and leg. Bharti Fulmali clips itthrough mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

13.2: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, FOUR! This will release some pressure. Nadine De Klerk bowls a length delivery, around off. Bharti Fulmali gets a bit cramped as she forces her punch shot over cover, in the gap for four runs.

13.2: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Wide! Nadine De Klerk surprises with a bouncer on middle. Bharti Fulmali looks to pull but misses. Good stop by the keeper standing up the stumps.

13.1: Nadine De Klerk to Deepti Sharma, Pushes it full and across the left-hander, outside off. Sharma crunches it through cover for a run.

12.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Bharti Fulmali, Excellent over from Mlaba. Drifting into the surface, length and on middle. Bharti Fulmali goes back and turns it to square leg.

12.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Deepti Sharma, Shorter delivery, on the bodyline. Deepti Sharma pulls it to square leg for a single.

12.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Deepti Sharma, Tossed up, fuller and around off, turning in. Deepti Sharma punches it to short mid-wicket.

12.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Deepti Sharma, Bowls it flat and down leg. Deepti Sharma pulls it straight to short fine leg. She misses out here.

A timely wicket for South Africa Women. Deepti Sharma walks out to bat now.

12.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! TAKEN! The skipper goes and India are in all sorts of trouble now. Mlaba floats it up, fuller and on middle, a little pace behind it. Harmanpreet Kaur tries to break the shackles as she heaves it across but top edges it to cover. The opposition skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, takes the skier. India are 76/4.

12.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Was that a chance? A slower shorter delivery, outside off and turning away. Harmanpreet Kaur goes back and cuts it to point. The fielder dives to her left but fails to hold on. The ball was just dying on her. Two runs.

11.6: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Dragged length, angled into the batter, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it out from deep inside the crease and through mid on for a single.

11.6: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, WIDE! Quicker through the air, on a length and angled down the leg side. Kaur leaves it alone.

11.5: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, Full and fired into the pads, Fulmali misses the flick and the ball goes off the boot to short fine leg. They get a leg bye.

11.4: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up outside off, Kaur skips down the track to go big but slices it wide of short third for just a single.

11.3: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, A slight hesitation in the running but they make it through. On the pads, tucked down to the left of short fine leg. Harmanpreet Kaur wants the single, and Fulmali eventually gets across. Kaur was the one running to the danger end and she was quick to make her ground.

11.2: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, Pushed through flatter and attacking the off stump, Fulmali gets pegged back and jams it back to the bowler.

11.1: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Pitched fuller around off, driven down to long off for a single.

10.6: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, Short of a length and outside off, Bharti Fulmali cuts it away but straight to point. 17 runs off the over!

10.5: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, FOUR! Top shot. Good length, around the top of off. Fulmali stays back and crouches a bit before cutting it right off the stumps and in between backward point and short third for another boundary. 17 off the over.

10.4: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, FOUR! Fulmali does get the Free Hit ball away and the momentum is shifting in this over. Slower one, ends up being a full toss on leg stump. Fulmali backs away and chips it straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

10.4: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, NO BALL! Another short ball, the second one over shoulder height and it is called a no ball for height. A quick bumper over off and middle, Fulmali backs away to cut but is beaten yet again. Free hit loading...

10.3: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, Much better line from Dercksen. Banged in halfway down the pitch, over off stump, Fulmali hops to cut but gets beaten.

10.2: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, SIX! That's flown away over the fence. Bowled short and angled down leg, Bharti Fulmali gets inside the line to pull but gets it off the top edge and the ball travels all the way over fine leg for a biggie. Already 8 off the over, just two balls in.

10.1: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, Pitched full and angled into the toes, Fulmali goes deep in the crease, takes the front leg out and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

DRINKS! A partnership brewing for India with Harmanpreet Kaur and Bharti Fulmali at the thick of the action. Kaur has held one hand so far but needs to motor along with 105 runs needed from the last 10 overs. South Africa have been brilliant so far with the ball. They have been bowling a lot of wide deliveries, but so far have the game in control. Can India turn things over? 

9.6: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Too many 'hit-me' deliveries from Tryon and finally, Harman puts one away. Short and wide again, Kaur goes after it and this time she finds the gap at covers and picks up a much-needed boundary. 50 UP FOR INDIA WOMEN.

9.5: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Kaur just can't find the gaps at the moment and the pressure keeps mounting. Well short and wide outside off, Kaur throws her hands at it and smacks it to the cover fielder.

9.4: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Nagging length on off, Kaur looks to punch it off the back foot but glides it straight to backward point again.

9.3: Chloe Tryon to Bharti Fulmali, A bit of a drag down, outside off, Fulmali rocks back and hoicks it across to deep mid-wicket for a run.

9.2: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Good length, on off, Kaur hngs back and gets compact before nurdling the ball towards mid on for a single.

9.1: Chloe Tryon to Harmanpreet Kaur, Slower through the air, short and wide, Kaur reaches for it and cuts it well but straight to backward point.

Chloe Tryon is back on. 8 runs off her first over so far.

8.6: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, Pitched full and on off, Fulmali drills it but straight to mid off. Just 4 off the over. 111 needed off 66 balls.

8.5: Annerie Dercksen to Harmanpreet Kaur, Straight up in the air, but will land safely! Short of a length again, angled into the body. Harmanpreet Kaur goes after it and ends up getting a top edge that comes down around the vacant square leg region. Chloe Tryon comes charging in from the deep but the ball falls well short and the batters get a single.

8.4: Annerie Dercksen to Harmanpreet Kaur, Back of a length and in the channel around off, Kaur hangs back to angle it away but ends up chopping it down to cover-point.

8.3: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, Good length, sliding into the pads, Fulmali gets slightly inside the line and helps it down to fine leg for just one more.

8.2: Annerie Dercksen to Harmanpreet Kaur, Dug in short and right at the batter, Kaur is taken aback but manages to control the pull down to long leg and she picks up a single.

8.1: Annerie Dercksen to Bharti Fulmali, A very full ball, around leg stump, Fulmali fails to flick it away. The ball hits the back leg and rolls to backward square leg for a leg bye.

Annerie Dercksen is into the attack.

7.6: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Fuller one and on off, Bharti Fulmali drives it through covers for one more.

7.5: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Pitched up and outside off, Bharti Fulmali drills it away wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

7.4: Nadine De Klerk to Bharti Fulmali, Hard length and on off, Bharti Fulmali keeps it out to the off side.

Bharti Fulmali is the new batter for India Women.

7.3: Nadine De Klerk to Anushka Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Nadine De Klerk strikes in her first over. Change of pace does the trick for her. She lands this on a good length and on middle, takes pace off. Anushka Sharma backs away to loft it down the ground, but her bottom hand comes off the bat upon contact. She ends up hitting it from the inside half of the bat and the ball flies in the air straight to long on, where Chloe Tryon moves forward a bit and takes a good catch. India Women are 38/3, chasing 156 runs.

7.2: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short of a length and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

7.1: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Back of a length and around leg, Harmanpreet Kaur helps it past short fine. Nonkululeko Mlaba gives a good chase and keeps it down to two runs.

Nadine De Klerk to have a bowl now.

6.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur moves back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

6.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Up and over! Gives this one some more air, full and around off. Harmanpreet Kaur gets her hands through the shot, hits it through the line and over mid off for a boundary.

6.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flatter, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur drills it down the pitch, where Nonkululeko Mlaba dives to her right on the follow-through to make a half-stop.

6.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Anushka Sharma, Excellent fielding! Flighted, full and on off, Anushka Sharma pushes it wide of extra cover and sets off for the run. Laura Wolvaardt dives to her right and makes a fine stop. She gets up and throws it at the batter's end, where Kaur has to hurry but makes her ground.

6.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Anushka Sharma, Tossed up, full and on middle, Anushka Sharma blocks it out.

6.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Harmanpreet Kaur, Floated, short and around off, turns away, Harmanpreet Kaur backs away and punches it through covers for a single.

Nonkululeko Mlaba comes on to bowl right after the Powerplay.

5.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, Keeps the length short again, on middle, Anushka Sharma miscues her pull off the toe-end towards mid on. India Women are 28/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, Bangs this into the pitch, just outside off, Anushka Sharma slaps it but cannot beat extra cover.

5.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, Hard length and on off, Anushka Sharma stabs it towards extra cover.

The physio is out to perform a mandatory concussion check on Harmanpreet Kaur. Replays show that it was a solid blow on the right side of the helmet but thankfully, Kaur looks fine.

5.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tries to be cheeky but doesn't come off! Touch fuller and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur gets down and across for the scoop but the ball goes off the face of the bat to the side of the helmet. It rolls towards point, where the fielder picks up and throws unnecessarily, allowing a run.

5.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short of a length and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur rides the bounce and dabs it to point.

5.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, Back of a length and around off, Anushka Sharma punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Ayabonga Khaka to continue and bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

4.6: Eliz-Mari Marx to Harmanpreet Kaur, Four dots on the trot to end the over! Fuller again and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur tucks it to short mid-wicket. Despite the boundary, just 5 runs off the over. Marx figures read 3-0-12-1. Superb stuff from her.

4.5: Eliz-Mari Marx to Harmanpreet Kaur, Slower one, full and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur clips it to mid-wicket.

4.4: Eliz-Mari Marx to Harmanpreet Kaur, Hits the length hard and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur steers it away towards point.

4.3: Eliz-Mari Marx to Harmanpreet Kaur, Bangs this into the pitch, but angling down the leg side. Harmanpreet Kaur looks to pull it away, but gloves it behind. It falls short of the diving keeper to her left.

4.2: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Back of a length and on off, Anushka Sharma punches it towards extra cover. Laura Wolvaardt gets low to stop it but the ball deflects off her knee, allowing the batters to take the single.

4.1: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, FOUR! Fine shot! Short of a length and well outside off. Anushka Sharma gets the chance to free her arms. Her bottom hand comes off the bat after contact but she crunches it through point for a boundary.

Eliz-Mari Marx to bowl a third over on the trot.

3.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Harmanpreet Kaur, Superb comeback from Ayabonga Khaka. Keeps it short and bowls it on middle. Harmanpreet Kaur nudges it to mid-wicket. 

3.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit short and around off. Harmanpreet Kaur knocks it to cover.

3.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Harmanpreet Kaur, On a good length, outside off. Kaur punches it to point. The fielder dives to her right and makes an excellent stop.

India Women are two down inside the first 4 overs, and that brings the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, to the crease.

3.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Jemimah Rodrigues, OUT! TAKEN. Another one falls. Khaka bowls into the surface on the shorter side, around off. Gets to a nice height for Jemimah to pull it away, and she goes after it, but plays off the higher part of the blade. She fails to get the connection and Chloe Tryon at deep square leg makes no mistake. India in some early troube. 

3.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Jemimah Rodrigues, Back of a length delivery, around off. Jemimah Rodrigues respectfully keeps it out.

3.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, Hard length delivery on the slower side, around off. Sharma gets on her toes and tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

3.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Anushka Sharma, FIVE WIDES! Terrible start by Ayabonga Khaka. Bashes it short and down leg. Sharma steps across to flick it away but misses and it rolls past the keeper and into the fence.

2.6: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Quick single to end the over. Too full and on middle. Sharma drills it to mid on for a single.

2.5: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Touch fuller, around the fourth stump line. Sharma presses and punches but straight to short cover.

2.5: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Wide! Pushes it full and down leg. Anushka Sharma looks to flick but misses.

2.4: Eliz-Mari Marx to Jemimah Rodrigues, Into the surface, slightly short and on middle. Jemimah Rodrigues fends it away on the leg side for a quick single to get underway.

2.3: Eliz-Mari Marx to Jemimah Rodrigues, On a nagging length, around off, slight away movement. Jemimah Rodrigues puts in a strong defensive prod.

An early breakthrough for the hosts, and out walks Jemimah Rodrigues to bat at number 3 for India.

2.2: Eliz-Mari Marx to Shafali Verma, OUT! GONE! Big wicket for South Africa Women, as Verma departs. Not a great delivery from Marx. Errs in line and drifts one on the pads. Verma tries to use the pace as she sweeps along the way, but ends up hitting it straight in the hands of short fine leg. Good catch by Chloe Tryon, getting low to her left. 

2.1: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Back of a length, on middle and leg. Anushka Sharma stays back and swipes it to deep square leg for a single.

1.6: Chloe Tryon to Anushka Sharma, Tossed up, full and on middle. AS turns it through mid-wicket for a single. 

1.5: Chloe Tryon to Anushka Sharma, FOUR! Creamed in the gap! Pitches it up, around off. Anushka Sharma leans and nicely drives it through covers, in the gap for a boundary. Much better shot from Sharma.

1.4: Chloe Tryon to Anushka Sharma, In the air...lands safely. Chloe Tryon slows up the pace and bowls it flat on middle. Anushka Sharma comes down the track to heave but gets beaten for the pace. Ends up hitting it over mid on for a couple of runs. Sharma is underway.

1.3: Chloe Tryon to Anushka Sharma, Loops it up and goes a bit full, on middle and leg. Sharma sweeps it straight to short fine leg.

1.2: Chloe Tryon to Anushka Sharma, Angles in a length ball, flatter and on middle. Sharma punches it back to Chloe Tryon.

1.1: Chloe Tryon to Shafali Verma, Flights it full and on leg, comes with the angle. Shafali Verma nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

A good start with the ball from the Proteas Women. It will be Chloe Tryon to operate from the other end.

0.6: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Three dots to end the over. Fractionally full, outside off. Anushka Sharma half-presses and pushes it to point. Tidy start by Eliz-Mari Marx.

0.5: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Keeps bowling in the same channel. On a length, outside off. Anushka Sharma knocks it straight to cover.

0.4: Eliz-Mari Marx to Anushka Sharma, Short of a good length, outside off, little away movement. Anushka Sharma punches off the back foot to point.

0.3: Eliz-Mari Marx to Shafali Verma, On a good length, outside off. Verma opens the bat face and guides it to third man for a single.

0.2: Eliz-Mari Marx to Shafali Verma, Drags the length back by a faction and gives width outside off. Shafali Verma cuts it aerially over point for a brace. India are underway. 

0.1: Eliz-Mari Marx to Shafali Verma, Eliz-Mari Marx begins with a length delivery, outside off, hint of away shape. Shafali Verma punches it to point.

We are back for the chase. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of South Africa Women. The artificial lights are already on as things have gotten a bit dark in Benoni, but there doesn't seem to be any rain on the horizon. Anushka Sharma and Shafali Verma are all set to open the innings for India Women. Eliz-Mari Marx will get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

Spinners pull India back before late damage - India Women failed to find an early breakthrough, but the spinners brought them right back into the game during the middle overs, keeping the runs in check while also picking up key wickets. Sree Charani was the standout in that phase with 2/22, while Deepti Sharma also chipped in with a couple, though she was taken apart in the final over. Renuka Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 2/21, and overall, the bowling unit has done its job. It now comes down to the batters, who will be chasing for the first time in the series and will need a strong performance to finish on a high. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

From control to collapse to a strong finish - South Africa Women once again started well, racking up 49 runs in the Powerplay. Sune Luus struggled to get going, but Laura Wolvaardt looked fluent and in complete control yet again. The pair added 75 runs before a sudden collapse saw them slip from 75/1 to 124/6. However, the skipper held one end firmly and kept the scoreboard moving. Sinalo Jafta then came in and played a few lusty blows, while Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 92 off 56, as they smashed 29 runs in the final two overs to push the total past the 150-run mark.

Game in the balance - A good battle between bat and ball on a surface that's on the slower side and offering some assistance to the spinners. South Africa Women have posted a competitive total, but considering the start they had, they would have hoped for more. India Women pulled things back beautifully through the middle overs, conceding just 28 runs between overs 10 to 15, showing great control and discipline. However, Deepti Sharma did concede 16 runs in the final over, which has shifted the momentum slightly back in South Africa's favour and added a late twist to this contest.

19.6: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! What a finish from Laura Wolvaardt! Short, on off, Laura Wolvaardt moves forward and hammers it over long on for yet another six. Back-to-back sixes to end the innings as South Africa Women end up with 155/6.

19.5: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! That goes all the way! Flighted up, on middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt shimmies down the trace and powers it over long on for a boundary.

19.4: Deepti Sharma to Sinalo Jafta, Short, on off, Sinalo Jafta slaps it to cover for a quick single.

19.3: Deepti Sharma to Sinalo Jafta, Flighted up, on off, Sinalo Jafta pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace. The fielder in the deep slides to her right near the fence and does well to stop the boundary.

19.2: Deepti Sharma to Sinalo Jafta, Good start to the final over. Short, on middle and leg, with a sharp turn. Sinalo Jafta looks to play at it but misses. Richa Ghosh does well to stop it. Dot.

19.1: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Tossed up, on off, Laura Wolvaardt sweeps it over mid-wicket for a single.

Who will bowl the final over? It will be Deepti Sharma. Can South Africa get to 150? Let's find out.

18.6: Arundhati Reddy to Sinalo Jafta, Slightly shorter, on off, Sinalo Jafta pulls it over mid-wicket for a brace. 13 runs from the over. 

18.5: Arundhati Reddy to Sinalo Jafta, FOUR! Just over mid off! Sinalo Jafta on the charge. Pitched up, on off, Sinalo Jafta stays back and chips it magnificently over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary.

18.4: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, A touch fuller this time, on off, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it to mid-wicket for one again.

18.3: Arundhati Reddy to Sinalo Jafta, Length again, on off, Sinalo Jafta heaves it over mid-wicket for a single.

18.2: Arundhati Reddy to Sinalo Jafta, FOUR! Nicely played! Much fuller, outside off, Sinalo Jafta gets down on one knee and drills it uppishly through covers for a boundary.

18.1: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Much fuller, on off, Laura Wolvaardt knocks it down the ground for a single.

17.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sinalo Jafta, Good length, on off, Sinalo Jafta knocks it through wide of mid on for a brace.

It's falling apart for South Africa Women here. Sinalo Jafta comes out to the middle now.

17.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Nadine De Klerk, OUT! LBW! A second wicket in the over. That was a tight call. Hard length, on middle and leg, Nadine De Klerk goes deep in her crease and looks to pull it, but gets beaten on the lack of bounce as the ball hits her pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up. South Africa Women are 124/6 after 17.5 overs. A brilliant over for India Women.

17.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Short of a length and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt swats it to long on for one.

17.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Nadine De Klerk, Hard length, on leg, Nadine De Klerk flicks it through backward square leg for a single.

Out goes Chloe Tryon, in comes Nadine De Klerk.

17.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Chloe Tryon, OUT! TAKEN! Renuka Singh Thakur gets a wicket. That's a soft dismissal. Change of pace works for Renuka Singh Thakur. She bowls a slower one, on off, Chloe Tryon is early on her shot as the ball hits the upper part of her bat and lobs straight towards Harmanpreet Kaur at covers. South Africa Women are 122/5 after 17.2 overs.

17.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Chloe Tryon, FOUR! That's a poor delivery! Hard length, on leg, Chloe Tryon moves to her right and helps it through fine leg for a boundary. A much-needed one for South Africa Women.

Renuka Singh Thakur to bowl out now. She has conceded just 13 runs in her first three overs.

16.6: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, A bit fuller, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt chips it over mid off for two runs. 7 runs off the over.

16.5: Arundhati Reddy to Chloe Tryon, Slower one, on off, Chloe Tryon waits for the ball and steers it to point for a single.

16.4: Arundhati Reddy to Chloe Tryon, Nice and full, just outside off, Chloe Tryon knocks it to the fielder at mid off.

16.3: Arundhati Reddy to Chloe Tryon, Back of a length, outside off, Chloe Tryon opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point for a brace.

16.2: Arundhati Reddy to Chloe Tryon, A slower one, on off, Chloe Tryon blocks it back to the bowler.

16.1: Arundhati Reddy to Chloe Tryon, A low full toss, Chloe Tryon drives it through covers. A bit of a fumble in the deep allows the batters to collect two comfortable runs.

15.6: Deepti Sharma to Chloe Tryon, Fuller now, a bit quicker too, darted towards middle and leg. Tryon clips it through mid-wicket and collects a run.

15.5: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Should have been put away. Short again, on middle and leg, and there to be hit. Laura Wolvaardt rocks back and pulls it flat and had, but straight to deep square leg for a single.

15.4: Deepti Sharma to Chloe Tryon, Shortish length, drifted into the pads, swatted across to deep square leg for a run.

15.3: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Dropped short on middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single. Wolvaardt brings up 311 runs in the series, the most in a bilateral WT20I series by anyone, according to the on-air commentators.

15.2: Deepti Sharma to Chloe Tryon, A lovely piece of bowling yet again. Flighted ball around off, draws the batter forward. Chloe Tryon leans on to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball trickles to short third for a single.

Spin has done the trick again for India Women. Chloe Tryon walks out to bat now.

15.1: Deepti Sharma to Anneke Bosch, OUT! TIMBER! That's a clever piece of bowling from Deepti Sharma. Anneke Bosch is a bit early to come down the pitch and Sharma sees her coming. Sharma then flattens it up, drags the length back and slows it up as well. The ball lands on off stump and skids through whilst staying low. Bosch swipes across the line but plays all around it and the ball goes on to smash into the stumps.

Excellent over from Sree Charani. She finishes her spell with excellent figures of (4-0-22-2). Deepti Sharma comes into the attack now.

14.6: Sree Charani to Anneke Bosch, Another full ball, around off, driven firmly. Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover dives to her right and deflects it behind to long off. The batters get a single, just 5 runs off the over.

14.5: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Charani sees the batter charging down the pitch and bowls it full and quick at the stumps. Wolvaardt jams it away down to long on and picks up a single.

14.4: Sree Charani to Anneke Bosch, Nicely flighted, full and around off, driven along the turf and down to long off for one more by Anneke Bosch.

14.3: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Floated up around off, Wolvaardt gets across a bit and dras the slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket for just a single.

14.2: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, That's well stopped. Good length on off, Wolvaardt makes room leg side and slaps it to the right of cover-point, where the fielder dives across and deflects the ball to cover.

14.1: Sree Charani to Anneke Bosch, Flighted ball on middle, Bosch shovels the sweep through backward square leg and turns the strike over.

What an effort from Jemimah Rodrigues. She was down on the ground for a while, but she looks fine now. Also, 100 comes up for South Africa Women.

13.6: Shafali Verma to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Oh, what an attempt in the deep from Jemimah Rodrigues! Tossed up on middle, Laura Wolvaardt skips down the track and swings it wide of long on. Jemi runs across and springs to her right, extending her right hand but only manages to get fingertips on it. Tough, tough chance and the ball rolls to the fence as well.

13.5: Shafali Verma to Anneke Bosch, Dragged length on middle, eased off the back foot and through mid on for a run.

13.4: Shafali Verma to Anneke Bosch, Slower through the air, floated on a good length and wide outside off. Bosch waits back and punches it straight to the cover fielder.

13.3: Shafali Verma to Laura Wolvaardt, Fullish length on middle and leg, tucked off the back foot and just behind square leg for a single.

13.2: Shafali Verma to Anneke Bosch, Flatter one on middle, stays low and skids through. Bosch gets caught on the back foot and jams it through mid-wicket for one more.

13.1: Shafali Verma to Laura Wolvaardt, Should have been put away. Shafali starts with a drag-down on leg stump, Wolvaardt rocks back and pulls it off the top edge towards deep backward square leg for just a single.

12.6: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Make that five singles in a row, and 9 runs in total in the over. Full and straight, attacking middle stump. Wolvaardt clears the front leg and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a run.

12.5: Arundhati Reddy to Anneke Bosch, Full again, drifted into the pads, clipped away through the square leg region for a fourth single in a row.

12.4: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Reddy keeps the length full and bowls it on leg stump, Wolvaardt turns it towards short fine leg and collets a quick single.

12.3: Arundhati Reddy to Anneke Bosch, Full again, around off, Anneke Bosch gets a stride in and pushes it back to the bowler. Arundhati Reddy fails to make a stop low to her left in the followthrough and the batters get a single.

12.2: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched full and straight, flicked away using the wrists towards deep mid-wicket for one. There is a slight fumble from Shafali Verma but it doesn't cost an extra run.

12.1: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Edged away. A length ball in the channel, Wolvaardt backs away to cut but gets a thick outside edge that goes wide of the keeper and rolls away into the vacant deep third fence.

11.6: Deepti Sharma to Anneke Bosch, Short again and around leg, Anneke Bosch nudges it to short mid-wicket.

11.5: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Dragged back, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt swats it to long on for one more.

11.4: Deepti Sharma to Anneke Bosch, Flighted, full and on middle, Anneke Bosch sweeps it to deep square leg for another run.

11.3: Deepti Sharma to Annerie Dercksen, OUT! TAKEN! You cannot keep Deepti Sharma out of the game for too long. She floats this one up, shortish and on middle, turns in a bit. Annerie Dercksen changes her stance for the reverse sweep but the ball bounces a bit more than she expected and she also gets cramped up for room. It lobs up off the outer half of the bat towards point, where Arundhati Reddy moves forward and takes a good catch near her shin. Dercksen goes back for a duck. Also, Anneke Bosch is the new batter in.

11.2: Deepti Sharma to Annerie Dercksen, Tossed up, full and on middle, turns in, Annerie Dercksen winds up for the big slog but has to adjusts and fends it down the pitch.

11.1: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Drops it short and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt moves back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Laura Wolvaardt has called for a change of gloves, and Deepti Sharma is also brought back into the attack now. She went for 13 in her first over.

10.6: Sree Charani to Annerie Dercksen, A bit quicker, full and on middle, Annerie Dercksen drives it straigh to extra cover.

10.5: Sree Charani to Annerie Dercksen, Flighted, full and on off, Annerie Dercksen stays back and pushes it to cover.

A couple of quick wickets for India Women. This brings Annerie Dercksen out to the middle.

10.4: Sree Charani to Tazmin Brits, OUT! TIMBER! Sree Charani strikes again. She sees the batter advance and darts this one very full, on middle, attacking the stumps. Tazmin Brits charges down the track but ends up yorking herself. She fails to get her bat down in time and the ball goes under it to rattle the stumps behind. 75/0 becomes 81/2 for South Africa Women.

10.3: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Tossed up, full and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt clips it through mid-wicket for another run.

10.2: Sree Charani to Tazmin Brits, Fires this one right in the blockhole, on middle, Tazmin Brits jams it past extra cover for a run.

10.1: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Floated, short and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt swats it down to long on for a single.

DRINKS! Midway point in the first innings and it has been a good tussle between bat and ball. The Indian bowlers have generally been disciplined but Laura Wolvaardt just seems to be in prolific form. The score reads 78/1 and while the surface looks great for batting, it is on the slower side and the spinners should get a bit more purchase as the game goes on. A score of over 160 could be a good one and for that, the hosts will need their skipper to stay out there for as long as possible. India, on the other hand, need wickets, otherwise the hosts will be able to just throw their bat at everything in the death overs.

9.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Short of a length and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another run. Just 3 runs off the over!

9.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Tazmin Brits, Length again, on off, Tazmin Brits nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

9.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Tazmin Brits, Good length and on middle, Tazmin Brits stays back and pats it to the left of short mid-wicket.

9.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Tazmin Brits, Hits the length hard and on middle, angling in again. Tazmin Brits gets low to swipe it away but miscues it off the bottom half of the bat and the ball goes nowhere.

9.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Tazmin Brits, On a length and on off, angling in, Tazmin Brits tucks it to short mid-wicket.

9.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt punches it to long on for a single.

Tazmin Brits walks out to bat at number 3. Also, Renuka Singh Thakur is back into the attack.

8.6: Sree Charani to Sune Luus, OUT! STUMPED! Sree Charani gets the much-needed breakthrough. She slows it up, full and around off, turns it away a bit. Sune Luus skips down the track to loft it away but gets beaten on the flight and gets nowhere near the ball. The ball goes past the bat behind, where Richa Ghosh almost makes a mess of it, but manages to hold onto the ball and breaks the stumps in time. End of a sluggish knock from Luus and South Africa Women are 75/1 now.

8.5: Sree Charani to Sune Luus, Dragged back, outside off, Sune Luus cuts it away but fails to beat point.

8.4: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Fires this one, full and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt backs away and bunts it to long on for one.

8.3: Sree Charani to Sune Luus, Floated, full and on middle, Sune Luus sweeps it to deep square leg for another run.

8.2: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, FIFTY FOR WOLVAARDT! The top scorer of this series has done it yet again. Another top-class knock, and she will want to make this a big one as well. Shorter in length and on off, Laura Wolvaardt punches it down to long off for a single.

8.1: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Flatter, shortish and around off, turns away. Laura Wolvaardt looks to clip it across the line but gets an outside edge wide of short third for a couple of runs.

7.6: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, DROPPED AND FOUR! Sune Luus finishes the over with a boundary! That should have been taken. Slower one, on off, Sune Luus moves forward and looks to heave it but doesn't connect well. The ball carries towards deep mid-wicket. Anushka Sharma settles under it but spills the catch as the ball races away to the fence.

7.5: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Short ball, on off, Sune Luus slaps it to the fielder at mid off.

7.4: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Goes full, on middle and leg, Sune Luus flicks it through backward square leg for a brace.

7.3: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, SIX! What a wonderful shot this is! Deepti Sharma drags her length back, on middle, Sune Luus takes a step forward and heaves it magnificently over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

7.2: Deepti Sharma to Sune Luus, Slows it up, on middle, Sune Luus reverse sweeps it to the fielder at point.

7.1: Deepti Sharma to Laura Wolvaardt, Nice and full, on leg, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

The star from the last game, Deepti Sharma has been tossed up the ball now.

6.6: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, FOUR! A boundary to end the over! Hard length, on middle and leg, Sune Luus winds up and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

6.5: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Dropped! A tough chance, though! Hard length, on off, Sune Luus mistimes her stroke back towards the bowler. Arundhati Reddy puts her hand to take the catch but fails to hold onto it. It is always a difficult catch to take one on the follow-through but this will go down as a dropped catch.

6.4: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Drags her length back, on off, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for yet another single.

6.3: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Slows it up, on middle and leg, Sune Luus turns it to mid-wicket for one again.

6.2: Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Fullish again, on leg, Laura Wolvaardt digs it to mid-wicket for one more.

6.1: Arundhati Reddy to Sune Luus, Nice and full from Arundhati Reddy, on leg, Sune Luus gets low and sweeps it through backward square leg for a single. 50 comes up for South Africa Women.

A fine Powerplay for South Africa Women! More importantly, they have not lost any wickets, and this opening pair is hurting India Women once again. Arundhati Reddy to bowl now.

5.6: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Too full, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt opens the face of her bat and steers it but finds the fielder at point. A dot to end the over. South Africa Women are 49 for no loss at the end of Powerplay.

5.5: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Much fuller, down leg, following the batter. Laura Wolvaardt shuffles across and knocks it through wide of mid on for a brace.

5.4: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Laura Wolvaardt is trying to make the most of the Powerplay! Length again, on off, Laura Wolvaardt stays back in her crease and heaves it over mid-wicket for yet another boundary.

5.3: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Just over extra cover! Hard length, just outside off, Laura Wolvaardt goes deep in her crease and forces it over the leaping extra cover fielder for a boundary.

5.2: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Swing and a miss! Hard length, outside off, with some extra bounce. Laura Wolvaardt swings hard but misses.

5.1: Kranti Gaud to Sune Luus, Short ball, on off, Sune Luus flicks it on the bounce towards deep square leg for a single.

Change of ends for Kranti Gaud.

4.6: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Sree Charani darts it on off, Laura Wolvaardt covers her line and blocks it to mid off. Another good over for South Africa Women.

4.5: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from the skipper! She is toying with the field here. Full, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt leans on and cracks a drive through extra covers for yet another boundary.

4.4: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Laura Wolvaardt continues with the onslaught! Flatter, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt gets down on one knee and chips it brilliantly over mid off for a boundary.

4.3: Sree Charani to Laura Wolvaardt, Keeps it full again, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt taps it to the fielder at extra cover.

4.2: Sree Charani to Sune Luus, Touch fuller, on off, Sune Luus gets low and sweeps it to square leg. Shafali Verma dives to her left and makes a good stop. Keeps it to a single.

4.1: Sree Charani to Sune Luus, Fullish, wide of off, Sune Luus knocks it to the mid off fielder.

Change? Yes, time for some spin as Sree Charani comes into the attack now.

3.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Easy pickings for Laura this time. Pitched up, full and wide outside off, Wolvaardt hammers the drive square through the cover region and picks up her fifth boudary of this innings.

3.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Shortish length around off, sits up for the batter. Wolvaardt gets her hands out in front and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to her left, dives and gets a hand on it but the ball still goes through to the fence.

3.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Back of a length, slanted in from wide outside off, pulled down to long on for one more.

3.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Pitched fuller and wide outside off, Luus reaches out and drags the slog off the inner half of the blade straight to square leg.

3.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length, outside off, and swatted down to long on without much timing for a run.

3.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Play and a miss. Fullish length outside off, Wolvaardt backs away to cut but the ball skids through and beats the bat.

2.6: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, A bit fuller and around off, hit on the up and to the right of Harmanpreet Kaur at mid off for a single.

2.5: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Gaud stays around the wicket to Laura and angles a length ball across the off stump. Wolvaardt looks to drive it through covers but gets beaten.

2.4: Kranti Gaud to Sune Luus, Finally, Sune Luus is off the mark. Bashed on a hard length, around the fifth stump line, Luus gets forward and hacks the pull without much timing through mid-wicket for one.

2.3: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Gaud comes around the wicket and bowls it back of a length, wide outside off. Wolvaardt reaches out ad cuts it to deep point for a single.

2.2: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, A length ball outside off, Wolvaardt is early to step down the pitch and hammers the drive straight to the cover fielder.

2.1: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! That's aggressive from Wolvaardt. Dug in well short over middle, there's not much pace or bounce in the surface. Wolvaardt pulls it off the front foot again and through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Excellent start from Renuka Singh Thakur. Just a leg bye coming off her over. Kranti Gaud will continue to bowl.

1.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Wow, just a leg bye in the over. Back of a length and outside off, Luus moves past the off stump and tries to angle it behind square leg but gets an underedge towards short third.

1.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Luus still can't get off the mark here. Nice and full, at the stumps, hit away to the left of short mid-wicket and this is well cut off.

1.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Three dots on the trot now. Back of a length around off, Luus rocks back to pull but mistimes it on the bounce to Deepti Sharma at short mid-wicket. The fielder gets a bad bounce but manages to make the stop.

1.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Fuller this time, straighter too, Luus leans on and pushes it to the right of the bowler.

1.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Sune Luus, Nagging length around off, angling back in a bit, Sune Luus goes slightly back in the crease and defends it off.

1.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Laura Wolvaardt, Pitched up on off, shapes back in a mile, Wolvaardt fails to flick and the ball goes off the pads behind square leg for a leg bye.

Excellent start from the South African women. 11 runs coming off the first over. Renuka Singh Thakur to share the attack.

0.6: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, A single to end the first over, 11 coming off it. Good length, just outside off, tapped away to the left of the cover fielder for a quick single.

0.5: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Overcorrection from Gaud, and she gets punished again. Too full and wide outside off, Wolvaardt smacks the drive through cover-point and the ball rolls away into the fence yet again.

0.4: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Powered away. Dug in short on middle, Laura Wolvaardt comes forward and pulls it just in front of square on the leg side and the ball races away to the fence for the first boundary of the game.

0.3: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length, a bit straighter on off stump, Wolvaardt blocks it back to the bowler.

0.2: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, BEATEN! A teaser outside the off stump, full again, shapes back in a touch. Wolvaardt extends the arms to drive but gets beaten past the outside edge.

0.1: Kranti Gaud to Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa Women are off the mark right away. Pitched full and outside off, looking for some swing. Laura Wolvaardt leans on and strokes it well to the right of deep backward point and picks up a couple of runs.

Right then, we are all set for the action to begin. The two teams stride out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be India's first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa. We are now done with the pre-match formalities. The umpires and the players are out in the middle. South Africa Women take their respective field positions. Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus open up for the South Africa Women. Kranti Gaud has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

PITCH REPORT - Victor Mpitsang and Nono Pongolo are pitchside. They say that the pitch had hard-rolled grass, making it fast, bouncy, and excellent for batting without offering much movement to the bowlers. They say that the ground is known for high scores and has large side boundaries. Because it is hard to guess a safe total to defend, Pongolo believed the winning captain would choose to bowl first. Mpitsang agreed that chasing a target would be the best plan for the game.

Shafali Verma is in for a chat - Shafali Verma says that they have had a good partnership in the last game, did well with the ball, which gave them confidence, and they are ready to win this game. Adds that she was trying to get more runs in the Powerplay by hitting it over the circle. Shafali shares that the journey has been with a lot of ups and downs but she is trying to give her best. Ends by saying that they have lost the series, but they will try and win this game and finish on a positive note.

A quick chat with Eliz-Mari Marx - Eliz-Mari Marx says that she is privileged to be back in the side and tries to bring positivity to the team. Adds that going back home and reassessing her bowling plans helped her a lot and it came off well in the last game. Feels that she wants to be consistent and impact the game. On her ball-striking ability, she says that she's put a lot of effort into the mental side of the game, which has then helped the physical side of her game as well.

With South Africa celebrating Freedom Day, marking the nation’s first democratic elections in 1994, the final game carries added significance, blending cricket with a day of unity and history, making the occasion even more special.

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

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

The skipper of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur says that they wanted to bowl first, and it's good they got the opportunity to do that today. Adds that the last game was a good one for them and they executed their plans well and will look to have the same clarity today as well. On any changes in the team, Kaur says that the likes of Smriti and Kashvee are resting, and Arundhati Reddy is back in the team.

The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that it doesn't happen often that she has won five tosses in a row. Adds that they have been bowling first all series, so wants to see how they do batting first here. Mentions that the wicket tends to be on the slower side and it was a quick turnaround, they have assessed the conditions quickly. Laura says that she is happy with how they have bounced back from a disappointing New Zealand series. Informs that they have made a couple of changes with Anneke Bosch and Nadine De Klerk coming back in the side. Ends by saying that they want to finish the series on a high note.