Match Centre
Scorecard Summary
SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN 157 (41 OVERS)
- Sune Luus36 (57)
- Lara Goodall49 (77)
- Jhulan Goswami4/42 (10)
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad3/37 (9)
INDIA WOMEN 160/1 (28.4 OVERS)
- Punam Raut*62 (89)
- Smriti Mandhana*80 (64)
- Shabnim Ismail1/46 (6)
- Marizanne Kapp0/8 (6)
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Sreshth Shah
That's that, then. India draw level and there's everything to play for in the third ODI, that takes place on Friday, March 12. Join us for that contest. For the moment, stay with ESPNcricinfo for Firdose's report, and the rest of analysis coming from this match. Goodbye.
Goswami: "It was pretty challenging because I was coming back after a year, and playing a competitive side like South Africa. I was just trying to hit the ball on the right areas. I always share my mantra with all my teammates. Monica the other day and Mansi today bowled very well. [On what she's been working on] The World Cup is going to happen next year. It's important for me to be fit and to play maximum number of matches. The NCA support staff has helped me a lot. [On missing out on a five-wicket haul] It was because I bowled a no-ball. I have to work on that and ensure that doesn't happen to me in future."
Mithali Raj: "I think it started from winning the toss, that's where things went right. As I mentioned during the toss, the first few overs will benefit the fast bowlers. Credit to Mansi [Joshi] who bowled well with Jhulan [Goswami] and bowled well. There was a good start. The spinners took their time, and Harman's wicket of the left-hander [Lara Goodall] was an important one. Our fielding was also good. We sat down and analysed what was needed. The first game was the first after a long time. The bowling catch has emphasized to the spinners about what lines to bowl. The wicket was quite good. [On her bowling changes] I would say both [plans and instincts] but the involvement was from everybody. Today I had feedback from all over the ground, and that helps the team as a unit when we are on the field."
Jhulan Goswami bags the Player of the Match.
2.55 pm Presentation comes up shortly. Here's Sune Luus: "From the first game, the two teams just countered around. There's still three games to go. We just have to go back and try and improve. [On the batting performance] Our batters didn't apply ourselves the way we wanted to. It gets down to shot selection. The wicket was such that 210-220 would have been a defendable total. Today was a lot hotter than the previous. Our deep condolences to our teammate [Tazmin Brits] whose father passed away."
2.47pm We're at 1-1 then in this 5-match ODI, and India have won after opting to chase - something the experts on TV said was a bad decision. Mandhana is the standout batter today, absolutely demoralising the South Africa bowlers after they were already quite deflated with the total the visiting batters put up. Her 64-ball 80 was a sight to behold, something those who came to watch the match at Ekana will never forget. Raut showed her class too, going from 6 off 30 balls to 62 off 89. Disappointing outing for Jemimah Rodrigues though, who now has two tiny scores this series.
Don't forget India's stars with the ball. Jhulan Goswami's four-for and Rajeshwari Gayakwad's three-wicket haul put South Africa on the mat. Mansi Joshi was mighty impressive too. South Africa's standout player was Goodall, who fell one short of a second WODI fifty. We'll have the presentation soon, stick around.
END OF OVER:28 | 8 Runs | IND-W: 151/1 (7 runs required from 22 overs, RR: 5.39, RRR: 0.31)
- Punam Raut61 (87b)
- Smriti Mandhana72 (62b)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba3-0-29-0
- Nadine de Klerk2-0-17-0
Nish: "Thats a typical Punam Raut innings - agonizingly slow up front and then picking up the pace as she goes along and feels set and confident. Very good when chasing small totals as she keeps one end safe initially!"
Match Coverage
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"If you're bowling first, it looks like an advantage is there for bowlers," agrees Goswami
Jhulan Goswami: 'Very excited' at opportunity to play Test cricket again
Sune Luus hopes the cricket world pushes the powers that be to organise more Tests for women