ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 runners-up South Africa Women started their campaign in the 2024 edition strongly with a record-breaking 10-wicket win against West Indies Women. 

After choosing to bowl first, South Africa Women restricted West Indies Women to 118/6 in 20 overs. In reply, South Africa Women chased the target successfully without losing a wicket in 17.5 overs.

Caribbean openers fell early

West Indies Women’s opening batters, captain Hayley Mathews (10) and Qiana Joseph (4) lost wickets in the powerplay as Marizanne Kapp and Nonkululeko Mlaba took the wickets. At the end of the powerplay, West Indies Women scored 31/2. 

Kapp dismissed dangerous Deandra Dottin 

While Deandra Dottin started dangerously on her international return, Kapp took her wicket in the early stage. Dotting scored 13 off eight balls with three fours. 

Nonkululeko Mlaba’s spell

South African left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba took four wickets. Apart from dismissing the opener Joseph in the powerplay, Mlaba dominated in her second spell, starting from the 12th over. During her second over, Mlaba took two wickets in successive deliveries by dismissing Shemaine Campbelle (17) and Chinelle Henry (0). In her last over, Mlaba picked up the wicket of Aaliyah Alleyne (7), which put West Indies Women in deep trouble at 83/6. 

SEE ALSO: Mlaba shines with record spell in Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Stafanie Taylor guided to the respected total

The no.3 position batter Stafanie Taylor played an important role for the Caribbean team in managing the first batting total of 118/6. With the help of two fours and one six, Taylor scored 44 not out off 41 balls. Also, she got support from Zaida James (15 not out) as both had a 35-run partnership for the unbroken seventh wicket. 

Captain provided a powerful start

Captain Laura Wolvaardt provided a powerful start for South Africa Women in the chasing. The openers, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits took the scoreboard to 43 runs at the end of the powerplay. Out of seven fours in the powerplay, Wolvaardt hit six boundaries to score 29 off 20 balls. 

Openers secured a record-breaking victory

South African openers never lose their control of the successful chasing. West Indies Women had hard luck as none of their bowlers managed to create any chance. 

Both the South African openers completed their half-centuries. Captain Wolvaardt scored 59 not out off 55 balls with seven fours and Britz scored 57 not out off 52 balls with six fours. 

• It was the highest target chase without losing a wicket in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history. South Africa Women also held the previous record by successfully chasing 114 runs target (117/0 in 17.5 overs) against Bangladesh Women at Cape Town in 2023. 
• South Africa Women also became the first to record a ten-wicket victory twice in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.