Tazmin Brits powered the Proteas Women to a 50-run victory over the West Indies Women in the opening T20I of their three-match series in Barbados on Friday.
Brits’ career-best 98* off 63 deliveries (nine fours, four sixes) helped South Africa post 183-6.
The visitors then produced a disciplined performance in the field, restricting the Windies to 133-6 despite a half-century from Jannillea Glasgow (53 off 44 balls; five fours).
After being asked to set the score, the South Africans made a solid start at the crease despite losing two wickets in the powerplay. Laura Wolvaardt (nine) and Marizanne Kapp (two) both fell cheaply, dismissed by Jahzara Claxton (3-39), who struck twice to leave the visitors on the back foot.
Brits held firm and found a reliable partner in Nadine de Klerk (21), who was promoted up the order. The pair steadied the innings and built a valuable 71-run partnership, guiding South Africa to 44-2 at the end of six overs. Brits continued to find the boundary regularly and soon brought up her 14th T20I half-century in assertive fashion.
As the Proteas edged closer to the 100-run mark, Claxton returned to break the stand, removing De Klerk for her third wicket of the day with the score on 96-3. Brits continued to anchor the innings, sharing useful contributions with debutant Miané Smit (nine) and Chloé Tryon (16) to take the score to 158-5 by the time both were dismissed.
Despite the late loss of Annerie Dercksen (five), Brits continued to lead the way as she went on to record her highest T20I score and South Africa’s highest individual effort against West Indies.
The visitors struck early with the ball. Marizanne Kapp (2-27) removed Qiana Joseph (five), caught sharply by Tryon, before Realeanna Grimmond (four) was run out at the non-striker’s end in a smart piece of fielding by Masabata Klaas. The Windies were reeling at 10-2 by the third over.
Hayley Matthews (19) and Shemaine Campbelle (16) attempted to stabilise the innings with a 32-run partnership. But Kapp struck again, dismissing Matthews. That blow left the West Indies on 42-3 in the sixth over and set the tone for South Africa’s dominance.
South Africa’s bowlers continued to press home the advantage. Ayabonga Khaka (1-19) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (1-18) picked up quick wickets, Campbelle and Shabika Gajnabi (nought), reducing the home side to 49-5 within eight overs.
With their back against the wall, the West Indian produced a valiant display through Chinelle Henry (26) and Glasgow, with the all-round duo adding a half-century stand to propel the home side to 105-5 after 17 overs. Glasgow recorded her maiden fifty, before Henry eventually fell to De Klerk in the final over as South Africa restricted their opponents to 133-6 to seal a comprehensive triumph.
The second T20I gets underway on Sunday (4pm SA time).
Photo: @ProteasWomenCSA/X
