In women’s cricket, India started the ODI series on a high, winning the first match against South Africa by eight wickets at Vadodra yesterday. The hosts chased down 165 runs in 41.4 overs, with 8 wickets in hand. India women now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0. Priya Punia scored unbeaten 75 runs from 123 balls, including 8 fours in her ODI debut. Jhulan Goswami got India off to a terrific start, taking the wicket of in-form opener Lizelle Lee with a sharp in-swinger.
Left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht’s loopy off-spinners got rid of wicketkeeper-batswoman Trisha Chetty and Mignon du Preez. Both batters got stumped out. Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Sune Luus failed to convert starts into big scores. Wickets kept falling from the other end but Marizanne Kapp held on to one end. Kapp scored her first ODI half-century against India. Goswami got the wicket of Kapp and ended the innings with 29 balls to go. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday.