Lucknow: Lizelle Lee’s unbeaten 132 off 131 deliveries propelled South Africa to register a six-run victory against India via Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method in the rain-marred third women’s ODI of the five-match series on Friday.
Chasing a target of 249, the Proteas were on course at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on 223/4 in 46.3 overs when rain halted the play before the match was called off with the visitors emerging as the winners who were ahead of the then DLS score of 218.
Having won the toss South Africa put India to bat. The hosts lost opener Jemina Rodrigues in the very first over. The experienced Punam Rawat steadied the ship with a 77 off 108 with an undifferentiated contribution of 36 from skipper Mithali Raj.
The Indian captain touched the landmark of 10,000 runs in international cricket being the first Indian batter to do so. Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur also chipped in to help the Indians put up 248/5 in 50 overs. Shabnim Ismail with her 2/46 was the pick of the Proteas bowlers.
In reply, it was Lee who spearheaded the chasing by unleashing herself in a calculative yet aggressive batting display along with Mignon du Preez. Jhulan Goswami (2/20) however kept it tight giving hope to the hosts.
With the sky darkening and a slight drizzle starting, Lee smashed Poonam Yadav through for a six before picking up three boundaries in the space of nine balls off Sharma and Kaur to keep South Africa ahead of the DLS par score as before the umpires called off the play.
