WI women beaten in finale

The victory on Saturday saw South Africa losing the series 2-1, however. Batting first after being put in by South Africa, the Windies crashed to 90 all out in 34.4 overs with only Nadine George getting into double figures with 22.

Legspinner Lonell de Beer was the best bowler with three for 10 while medium pacer Alicia Smith took three for 22.

South Africa cruised to their target, reaching 91 without loss with Cri-Zelda Brits steering the hosts to victory with 62 not out. South Africa had lost the first two matches of the series earlier this week. Earlier, the West Indies had gotten off to a relatively safe start when openers Nelly Williams and Shane de Silva saw them to 20 without loss.

But Williams perished with the last ball of the fifth over for six and de Silva followed her four runs later for seven, as the Windies limped to 24 for two. Pamela Lavine, who was named Player of the Series, and Cordell Jack gave the regional team hope as they pushed the score to 36 before both of them went in successive overs with no addition to the score.

The highest partnership of the innings was provided by George and Verena Felicien who added 28 for the fifth wicket, before the latter fell for six. The last five West Indies wickets then crashed for 26 runs as the South Africans took charge. Any hope of a miracle win faded when Brits took command of the South African batting to steer her team safely home.

The three match series, hastily arranged after both teams failed to make the semi finals of the Women’s World Cup, finished 2-1.