Staff Reporter.
SA U19 Women registered their first victory at ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup after defeating Scotland by 44 runs at Willowmoore Park.
Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first, Elandri Janse Van Rensburg opened the first ball smashing a boundary on her first strike.
The end of first over saw Janse Van Rensburg’s dismissal as she’s caught on the leg side. The visitors applied pressure early, taking out two wickets in the fourth over with Simone Lourens and Oluhle Siyo departing on 13(11) and 1(5) respectively.
By the end of the powerplay South Africa had registered 32/4. Kayla Reyneke and Karabo Meso held on the batting to convert the deliveries into runs, the pair moved competently on the pitch prior to Meso lifting a sloppy drive getting her caught on 14 runs off 14 balls.
Reyneke kept steering the ship with the hope of forming a tight partnership, halfway through the innings the team was down by batters.
Jenna Evans’ entrance to the crease fired the match up and established a partnership that led to Reyneke getting a half century, ending her innings on 53(49) and walking away as the player of the match. South Africa posted a score of 112/7 after 20 overs.
Jemma Botha opened up the bowling for the team starting on a good note, striking early and dismissing Scotland’s Ailsa Lister in the third over. Ayanda Hlubi and Reyneke kept the momentum and had a share of celebrating the fall of wickets.
An excellent fielding from Simone Lourens saw her assist Seshnie Naidu twice in one over catching Katherine Fraser and Oliva Bell. Behind the stumps Meso guarded the deliveries attentively taking out two batters.
Madison Landsman sealed the match making a historic moment for herself as the first hat-trick of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup is recorded under her name. South Africa won by 44 runs and set to face UAE in the last group match on Wednesday, 18 January.