Internet Desk: Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey shared seven wickets between them as India women began their tour of South Africa with a comfortable, 88-run win over the Momentum Proteas in the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Monday.
There was also a telling contribution of 84 (98 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) from opener and Player of the Match Smriti Mandhana as the tourists posted a competitive 213 for seven after winning the toss and batting.
The hosts disappointed with the bat and were shot out for just 125 in 43.2 overs, allowing the Indians to go 1-0 up in the series, which was the first for the South Africans in the ICC Women’s Championship – the qualifying tournament for the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Mandhana and her captain Mithali Raj (45) put on 99 for the second wicket, before two wickets each by Marizanne Kapp (2/26) and Ayabonga Khaka (2/47) helped the home side claw their way back.
They failed to capitalize on that end-of-innings momentum by slipping to 23 for three after Lizelle Lee (3), Trisha Chetty (5) and Mignon du Preez (0) all fell cheaply. Captain, Dane van Niekerk managed 41, but she lacked the required support and fell with the score on 100.
There were also starts for Laura Wolvaardt (21), Kapp (23) and Sune Luus (21 not out), but they were not enough to trouble the Indians.
Goswami ended as the pick of the bowlers with four for 24, while Pandey bagged three for 23.
Match two of the series takes place at the same venue on Wednesday.