India overcome resilient South Africa to win one-off Test by 10 wickets
India overcome resilient South Africa to win one-off Test by 10 wickets
NEW DELHI: India secured a convincing 10-wicket victory in the one-off women's Test against South Africa in Chennai, although centurion Laura Wolvaardt made them wait a little longer for the winning moment.
The hosts needed to chase a modest target of 37 runs after dismissing South Africa for 373 in their second innings, and they achieved this in just 9.2 overs without losing a wicket, PTI reported.
The opening pair of Shubha Satheesh (13 not out) and Shafali Verma (24 not out) guided India to a comfortable win. This marks India's second 10-wicket triumph in Tests, with the previous one coming against the Proteas at Paarl in 2002. India had earlier declared their first innings at an impressive 603 for six.
Despite being bowled out for 266 in their first innings, South Africa put up a strong fight in the second innings, thanks to centuries from Wolvaardt (122, 314b, 16x4) and Sune Luus (109, 203b, 18x4). However, their efforts could only postpone the inevitable, as India's bowlers and batters proved too strong for the visiting side.
Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp resumed their innings at the overnight score of 232 for two, still trailing India by 105 runs. Both batters seemed to be in good form, with Wolvaardt achieving a significant milestone by scoring her first Test century. This achievement also made her the first woman to score a century in all three formats of the game within the same calendar year.
The South African team's progress was briefly halted when Kapp was dismissed leg-before wicket by Deepti Sharma for 31 runs. Shortly after, Delmi Tucker was sent back to the pavilion for a duck by Sneh Rana, leaving the visitors at 266 for four.
Wolvaardt tried to stabilize the innings, but her valiant effort came to an end when Rajeshwari Gayakwad trapped her in front for a well-played 122. This dismissal left South Africa at 281 for five, still needing more runs to surpass India's total.
Despite the setbacks, the Proteas continued to fight and managed to cross the 300-run mark, setting a new record for their highest team total against India in Tests, surpassing their previous best of 266 in the first innings.
With less than 50 runs required to take the lead, Nadine de Klerk and Sinalo Jafta formed a partnership that lasted until the lunch break, with South Africa reaching 302 for five at the interval.
In the post-lunch session, Jafta retired hurt due to cramps, leading the visitors to send Anne Dercksen to join De Klerk. However, Dercksen departed after scoring just five runs, falling to Pooja Vastrakar, with South Africa trailing by 27 runs.
The tourists managed to surpass 316, achieving their highest score in Test cricket, surpassing the 315 they made against England at Shenley in 2003. Despite closing in on a lead, South Africa struggled to build lasting partnerships.
The next stand between De Klerk and Tumi Sekhukhune was worth 14 runs before Sekhukhune was run out for six. Jafta returned to bat but added only nine more runs, departing for 15, leaving the team at 336 for eight at tea.
In the final session, the hosts conceded the lead, marking the third instance of India giving away the lead after enforcing a follow-on and the fifth overall.
A 23-run partnership between De Klerk and Masabata Klaas ended when Shafali bowled Klaas out. De Klerk, who had been dropped on fifty during a mix-up between Renuka Singh and Vastrakar, reached her half-century but was eventually knocked out for 61 by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
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