By Ross Roche.
A record-breaking opening-wicket stand between captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits powered the Proteas women to a huge 316/4 batting first in the deciding ODI against Bangladesh at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday afternoon.
Wolvaardt slammed her way to her fifth ODI century, making 126 off 134 balls, cracking 13 fours and a six, while Brits reached her maiden international century, as she struck eight fours and two sixes on her way to 118 off 124 balls.
The 243-run opening-wicket partnership was the highest ever for the Proteas women, eclipsing the unbeaten 224-run fourth wicket stand between Johmari Logtenberg and Mignon du Preez set against the Netherlands back in 2007.
At the start if play the Proteas won the toss and chose to bat, with Wolvaardt and Brits getting off to a steady start as they brought up their 50-stand in the ninth over and moved to 60/0 at the end of the 10 over powerplay.
Wolvaardt brought up her half century with a single in the 18th over, which also saw the team’s hundred come up, while Brits reached her half century with a single in the 21st over.
Bangladesh did manage to slow the scoring rate in the middle overs but the Proteas eased their way over the 150 mark in the 29th over.
Wolvaardt was then the first to reach three figures with a single in the 38th over, followed by the team’s 200 being brought up in the 39th.
Brits then notched her first century in her 20th match with a boundary in the 40th over and with 10 runs coming off it the shackles had been released.
The 41st over went for 17 runs as Wolvaardt unleashed a lovely six inside out and cracked back-to-back boundaries at the end of it, while the 42nd went for 14 as Brits hammered a six over long off while Wolvaardt smashed another four.
But the fun finally came to an end at the start of the 43rd as Wolvaardt dragged on returning opening bowler Marufa Akter, followed in the next by Brits as she came down the wicket to Ritu Moni only to be stumped by keeper Nigar Sultana.
The Proteas, however, didn’t slow down as Sune Luus came in and thumped 34 off 17 balls (6×4) and Anneke Bosch finished unbeaten on 28 off 19 (2×4, 1×6) as they cruised over the 300-run mark.
Bangladesh now have an incredibly tough chase to try and win the series, with the teams locked at one win a piece after the visitors won in East London and the hosts in Potchefstroom.
South Africa: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sinalo Jafta (wkt), Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (capt/wkt), Shamima Sultana, Nahida Akter, Fargana Pinky, Murshida Khatun, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya, Fahima Khatun, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akter.