Nadine de Klerk produced one of the most spectacular innings in Women’s World Cup history, smashing an unbeaten 84 from just 54 balls to guide South Africa to a sensational three-wicket victory over co-hosts India in Visakhapatnam yesterday.
The Proteas looked dead and buried at 81-5 chasing India’s 251, but de Klerk’s devastating late assault – featuring five towering sixes – turned the match on its head and left a stunned home crowd wondering how their team had let victory slip from their grasp.
India’s total of 251 all out in 49.5 overs had seemed competitive after they too had endured a middle-order collapse, slumping to 102-6 before wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh’s magnificent 94 from 77 balls rescued the innings. Ghosh’s counterattacking knock, studded with powerful strokes, gave the home side belief they had enough runs to defend.
Chloe Tryon was the pick of the South African bowlers, claiming 3-32 with her crafty spin to restrict India’s ambitions of a bigger total.
When South Africa’s chase began disastrously, sliding to 81-5 with more than half their batting gone, captain Laura Wolvaardt stood firm. Her patient 70 from 111 balls provided the anchor the innings desperately needed, with her 61-run partnership with Tryon (49 from 66) steadying the ship.
But it was when de Klerk joined Tryon that the game truly shifted. The pair added 69 runs at a rapid pace, with de Klerk’s clean hitting leaving India’s bowlers shell-shocked and the fielders mere spectators.
De Klerk’s innings was a masterclass in timing and power. Her five sixes came at crucial moments, each blow deflating Indian spirits further. The fifth and final maximum, launched with seven balls remaining, sealed not just the victory but one of the most memorable comebacks in recent World Cup history.
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The all-rounder’s 84 not out represents her highest international score and came when her team needed it most, demonstrating the mental fortitude that separates great players from good ones.
This result leaves both teams level on points in the World Cup standings, with India missing the opportunity to claim top spot after suffering their first defeat of the tournament. For South Africa, it’s a momentum-building victory that could prove crucial in their quest for World Cup glory.
Both teams will need to quickly regroup, with the tournament’s relentless schedule offering little time to dwell on either the ecstasy or agony of this thriller.
The Proteas’ ability to fight back from seemingly impossible positions will give them immense confidence, while India must quickly forget this painful defeat and focus on their remaining fixtures if they’re to achieve their World Cup ambitions on home soil.
- The Proteas next match is against Bangladesh on Monday 13 October at 11:30 (SA time).
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