WP Women confident ahead of crucial Titans Pro20 clash
Western Province captain, Leah Jones, leads the charge against the Garden Route Badgers, during their Hollywoodbets Pro20 match, at Newlands, on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
The Western Province Women’s cricket team will wing their way to Pretoria full of confidence, where they will want to continue their push for the Hollywoodbets Pro20 title with a crucial second-round clash against the Titans.
The Cape side currently tops the standings with an unbeaten record after six matches, having accumulated 27 points. The Lions occupy second place, four points behind, underlining Province’s growing authority in the competition as the business end of the tournament approaches.
Their position at the summit was reinforced on Sunday when they produced a tense two-wicket victory over the Garden Route Badgers in a tightly contested encounter at Newlands. With momentum firmly on their side, WP now head north, aiming to extend their unbeaten run in what promises to be another defining contest in the race for the Pro20 crown.
WP wicketkeeper, Jae-Leigh Filander, attempts to stop the ball during her side's Hollywoodbets Pro20 match against the Garden Route Badgers, at Newlands, on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
After winning the toss, captain Leah Jones elected to bowl first, a decision that proved decisive on a surface offering just enough assistance to disciplined seam and spin.
The Badgers struggled to build momentum at the top of the order and were restricted to 114 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. Gizelle Abrahams, who disappointingly was run out, was the most composed batter for the visitors, top-scoring with 24 off 29 deliveries, while Julia Hoal added 23 from 29 balls.
The home side’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings. Nosipho Vezi produced a match-winning display to earn the Player of the Match award after returning impressive figures of two for 17, while Jemma Botha provided excellent support with 2/21 as the hosts controlled the tempo with disciplined lines and lengths.
WP all-rounder, Jemma Botha, pictured here during last year's ICC under-19 Women's Cricket World Cup in Malaysia, proved herself equally comfortable with the ball in hand, as she claimed 3/7, during her side's match against Garden Route Badgers at Newlands on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
In reply, Western Province approached the chase with calm assurance despite losing early wickets, with Faye Tunnicliffe anchoring the innings with a crucial 30, ensuring the required rate remained within reach, while all-rounder Yandiswa Mangele played a vital supporting role with a composed 22.
The home side eventually reached 115 for eight, sealing victory with two wickets in hand in a nervy finish that once again highlighted their composure under pressure.
However, the Badgers were unable to find the late surge that could have lifted their total to a more competitive level. Palesa Mapoo managed only two from five balls, Izel Cilliers contributed nine from 12, and Nicolien Janse van Rensburg’s brisk 17 off 15 deliveries was not enough to change the momentum in the closing overs.
On Saturday they beat the visitors in a Pro50 match by six wickets at the Newlands. Fast bowler Miya Lalor led the charge with a superb spell of 4/23, well supported by all-rounder Jemma Botha, who claimed 3/7, while Tatum le Roux put the final nail in the coffin with her 2/19. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 92 in 39.1 overs. In reply, the home side made light work of the modest target. Delmi Tucker (40 off 42) and Faye Tunnicliffe (25 off 33) guided the chase with composure as the hosts reached 95/4 in 17.4 overs to seal a comfortable victory.