Xtra Time Web Desk: Lara Goodall’s career-best half century helped the Proteas women to complete their highest successful One-Day International chase as they beat India Women by seven wickets to surge into an unassailable 3-1 lead at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.
Set a target of 267, the in-form Lizelle Lee struck 69 (75 balls, 10 fours), stand-in captain Laura Wolvaardt hit 53 (78 balls, 6 fours), Player of the Match Mignon du Preez attacked with 61 off 55 balls (8 fours, 1 six) and the solid Goodall made an unbeaten 59 off 66 balls (5 fours) as South Africa won with eight balls to spare.
Their chase beat the previous highest of 265 against England at Centurion in 2015/16 and also secured a third successive series triumph after they beat New Zealand (2020) and Pakistan (2021) in their previous two 50-over outings.
Earlier in the day, the bowlers conceded 266 for four after Wolvaardt, again standing in as captain for the injured Sune Luus, won the toss and opted to field first.The innings of the host was built around Punam Raut’s third career century after she top-scored with an unbeaten 104 (123 balls, 10 fours). Harmanpreet Kaur also plundered 54 off 35 balls (7 fours, 1 six), while there were useful contributions from skipper Mithali Raj (45) and Priya Punia (32).