Proteas women's captain Sune Luus struck 36 runs against India in the second ODI in Lucknow on Tuesday but it was not enough as the hosts levelled the series at 1-1 with a comfortable 9-wicket win. Picture: Getty Images
A strong all-round performance helped India bounce back from their series-opening defeat against the Proteas women’s team with the comfortable nine-wicket win in the second One-Day International at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Jhulan Goswami lead a clinical bowling display by claiming four for 42 as the tourists were bundled out for 157 in 41 overs. Half centuries by Smriti Mandhana (80* off 64 balls, 10 fours, 3 sixes) and Punam Raut (62* off 89 balls, 8 fours) then lead a strong reply as the hosts won with more than 20 overs to spare.
It was a good response by the Indians, especially after they were on the other end of a heavy defeat by the South Africans in match one on Sunday.
ALSO READ: Players can move forward, says Breetzke, with new structure confirmed
South Africa won the toss on Tuesday and batted first, with Lizelle Lee (4) and Laura Wolvaardt (9) – the stars in the previous game – out cheaply to Goswami and Mansi Joshi (2/23) respectively.
Lara Goodall (49) and captain Sune Luus (36) then rebuilt nicely with a 60-run third-wicket partnership that took South Africa up to 80 for two in the 21st over.
But things went all wrong from there as Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/37) cut through the middle order and tail, the visitors dismissed with nine overs remaining.
Shabnim Ismail (1/46) did manage to land an early blow when she bowled Jemimah Rodrigues (9), but an unbroken 138-run second-wicket partnership charged India to victory.
The result ended a seven-match winning streak for the Proteas. Match three of the series takes place on Friday.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
