Smriti smashes special ton, India wrap up series

Kimberley, February 7

Opener Smriti Mandhana slammed a quickfire 135 as the Indian women’s team produced yet another clinical display to beat South Africa by 178 runs in the second ODI and clinch the three-match series here today. India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Left-handed Mandhana started from where she left in the first game, smashing 135 off just 129 balls to form the base for India’s 302/3. She hit 14 boundaries and a six in what’s her second ODI century against South Africa. Mandhana had made a 98-ball 84 in India’s 88-run win over South Africa in the first ODI.

Besides Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur (55 not out) and Veda Krishnamurthy (51 not out) contributed to India’s total. Opener Punam Raut (20) and skipper Mithali Raj (20) also got starts but failed to build on them. 

Just like in the first ODI, the Indian bowlers were clinical, bowling out South Africa for just 124 runs in 30.5 overs. Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav excelled with the ball with figures of 4/24, while left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/14) and offie Deepti Sharma (2/34) shared four victims between them.

India’s veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami added another feather to her illustrious cap today by becoming the first female cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets. The 35-year-old Goswami, playing her 166th ODI, achieved the feat when she dismissed opener Laura Wolvaardt for her 200th scalp. South Africa’s struggle against the Indian attack can be gauged from the fact that only two of their batswomen could manage double digit scores. Opener Lizelle Lee held up the one end with a 75-ball 73 but she did not get any support from her teammates.

Brief scores: India : 302/3 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 135; Sune Luus 1/31); South Africa: 124 all out in 30.5 overs (Lizelle Lee 73; Poonam Yadav 4/24). — PTI