• North West claim Women’s National Week crown

    North West were crowned the 2019 CSA Women’s National Week champions after defeating Western Province by seven wickets in the final in Bloemfontein on Friday.

    Proteas’ stars Lizelle Lee and Tumi Sekhukhune led their team from the front with the bat and ball respectively to help clinch the title for North West. The Potchefstroom-based side have been sensational all season and closed off their unbeaten 2018-19 season with their third trophy of the campaign across all formats.

    READ ALSO: Sethlodi six-for leads North West to victory

    Having won the toss and batting first, the WP outfit was dismissed for a paltry 151 within 47 overs, despite a steady start. North West’s bowling attack was sensational and struck at crucial times to derail the Cape side’s innings.

    Sekhukhune starred with the ball to dismiss the in-form Laura Wolvaardt (17) before picking up three further wickets to finish with outstanding figures of 4-17. Evodia Yekile (2-27) and Alyssa Erxleben (2-31) supported their teammate well by also making serious inroads into the opponent’s batting lineup. Lara Goodall (29) and captain Alexis le Breton (29) contributed handy runs, but it wasn’t enough to help WP pose a serious threat.

    Chasing a favourable target, North West’s impressive Proteas duo of Lee and Tazmin Brits (46) continued their fine form at the crease. The pair combined for another half-century stand for the first wicket before it was broken on 93 runs. Lee brought up her second fifty of the tournament as she notched up an exciting 56 off 57 balls (8×4) to take her side to the verge of victory.

    WP made a match of it by dismissing three key batters, but Anneke Bosch (15 not out) and Tanja Cronje (3 not out) saw the champions home, sealing a historic second Women’s Week title in three years.

    Northerns all-rounder Sune Luus was awarded the Player of the Tournament award for her 269 runs, as well as finishing as the leading wicket-taker. Her national teammate Wolvaardt took home the Batter of the Tournament following her exceptional 368 runs at an average of 122.7, including two centuries and one fifty.

    READ ALSO: Wolvaardt ton powers WP Women’s victory

    CSA Women’s Week Awards
    Batter of the Week – Laura Wolvaardt
    Bowler of the Week – Sune Luus
    Player of the Week – Sune Luus

    CSA Women’s 2018-19 Trophies
    Women’s National Week – North West
    Provincial T20 League – North West
    Provincial 50-over League – North West

    Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images

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    SA CRICKET