SA women clinch T20 series
The South African women's team clinched their second series trophy against the England Women's Academy when they convincingly beat them by 44 runs in the third and final T20 match in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Shandré Fritz was once again to the fore, sharing a 63-run opening partnership with Trisha Chetty (32 from 26 balls) and a 54-run partnership with Chloe Tryon (40 from 23 balls) to help take the South African total to 178 for three after being asked to bat first by the visitors. Fritz also shared a noteworthy 43-run partnership with veteran Susan Benade before the latter was bowled by Deanna Cross for 22 runs off 25 balls. Fritz finished unbeaten on 53 off 46 balls.
The Academy made a shaky reply. They lost Elizabeth MacGregor for 11 runs when she was bowled by Shabnim Ismail at the end of the third over. Alice MacLeod shared a 33-run partnership with Tammy Beaumont (18) before the former was bowled by Benade for 10 runs.
Chloe Tyon was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets for 23 runs, both of which were taken in the same over, seeing the end of Beaumont and Jodie Dibble (4). Natalie Sciver (32 from 28 balls) and Amy Jones shared a 55-run partnership to give the Academy some hope until Marcia Letsoalo saw to the dismissal of Jones, bowling her out for 18.
The Academy in the end could not make the required runs to win the match and the series, ending their innings on 134 for six to surrender victory to the hosts.
This tour will go a long way in giving the team a major boost going into further preparation for the ICC Women's World T20 in Sri Lanka later this year.
