• Kapp’s blitz ignites Proteas

    South Africa’s star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp smashed Sri Lanka to all parts of Potch in the second ODI as the Proteas clinched the series, with Kapp’s efforts earning her Thursday’s Play of the Day award, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.

    The veteran Protea from Port Elizabeth marked her 98th cap for South Africa with a match-winning performance against Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Potchefstroom that helped the home team clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.

    READ MORE: Kapp powers Proteas Women to series victory

    Kapp smashed a sensational 69 not out off just 34 balls as she added the finishing touches to the first innings. Her swashbuckling knock included six blistering fours and four fantastic sixes at a strike rate of 202.94 on her way to registering her seventh ODI half-century for the Proteas.

    Her quickfire 85-run stand with wicketkeeper-batter Faye Tunnicliffe (15 off 19 balls, 1×4) is also the Proteas second-highest seventh-wicket partnership behind Ally Kuylaars and Cindy Eksteen, who added 94 runs together in Taunton against England in 2000.

    When Sri Lanka batted, Kapp terrorised the visitors with the ball, dismissing Prasadani Weerakkody and Anushka Sanjeewani at the top of the innings. She finished with figures of 2-41 in her nine overs, playing a vital part in securing a 30-run victory over the visitors.

    Her heroics not only secured the win for the home team, but also earned her a well-deserved Player of the Match award at Senwes Park.

    READ ALSO: ‘Kapp and I are best opening pair’

    The final ODI will take place on Sunday at the same venue, with Sri Lanka hoping to bag a win in order to avoid being whitewashed by the Proteas for a second consecutive series during their tour of South Africa.

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    Photo: Matthew Lewis/IDI/Getty Images