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It was another day, and another batting collapse from South Africa Women that saw them crumble to a 178-run loss to India. It wouldn't have been pleasing for the South African skipper Dane van Niekerk who has had to witness her troops surrender in meek fashion for the second time this series as the hosts conceded the three-match One-Day International series to India 2-0 with one to play.
"Again it was poor execution," Niekerk said on Wednesday (February 7). "My batters don't want to bat I see, so it's something we need to address very urgently. It's a very quick turnaround for us for the last one and India are showing us how to apply themselves in the middle. Madhana showed it today again. That's what we need in our side too - we need people to put up their hands up. We can't be bowled out in 30 overs."
South Africa were chasing 303 after having put India in to bat on a wicket that assisted batting. They even got off to a steady start but from 54 for 1, ended up being bundled out just for 124, owing to another batting collapse - a narrative that has stung them in both the games so far, giving India four points towards the ICC Women's Championship.
"We felt like there would be something in it early on," said Niekerk on her decision to bowl first. "I don't think the wicket changed much. It was a brilliant wicket to play cricket on. I think we needed to restrict them to about 260 - that would've been a good score. They got away from us in the back end.
"As a professional cricketer, you have to be on the ball all the time and you can't come to a very important tour against India and expect things to happen. You have to train even harder. Especially after the World Cup we want to achieve much more than what we did there. This is certainly not the way to go," she added.
India's victories have, on the other hand, been spearheaded by opener Smriti Mandhana. After starting the series with a brilliant 84, she topped it with her third one-day century on the day.
"Good that I could convert last game's 84 to this innings, but I had to start afresh," said Mandhana. "I told myself I had to start from zero. Was even more special because we won the series. Getting the team through and contributing to the team makes me feel very good. Good to be 2-0 up in the series but we're playing for the Championship, so every point matters."
Captain Mithali Raj echoed the sentiment with the larger picture taking precedence from the beginning. "It was important for us realising that it was the start of the ICC Championship for India as well as for South Africa after the World Cup," said Raj. "Knowing that South Africa are very good at home. We've been facing each other regularly in the last few years, but it's good to get points under your belt. Having four points gives us more confidence to get into the third one-dayer.
"Want to finish 3-0. Still have 2 points to fight for. We won't take them lightly. We would've tried out some youngsters if it was not for the points but knowing that we need to have as many points as we can... because as the runners-up team at the World Cup, for the next World Cup, I would want the team to have direct entry," she added.
The wicket at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley was not the typical South African wicket with great amounts of bounce and pace. Yet, it was better than the one used for the first one-dayer between the sides. While the batters required to give themselves a bit of time to acclimatise, Jhulan Goswami made the most of the wickets in South Africa, returning four wickets in the first ODI to scalping her 200th wicket in the second - becoming the first woman to reach the landmark.
"It is always good to have one of the quality fast bowlers in your squad," Raj said of Goswami. "She also, like me, debuted quite early in 2002 and since then we've been together a long time playing for India. She's someone who has really worked hard. Because of her height she gets that lateral move off the wicket which has always been her strong point. Also her high-arm action in getting bounce off the wicket. These wickets are ideal for a fast bowler like her to get wickets."
While Raj had a more wise view of her pacer, Mandhana was in awe of her teammate whose path-breaking career has only inspired youngsters like herself. "Always good to have someone like Jhulan di or Mithali di in the team beause they are legends and they keep making us work much more harder and keep the standard high for us. She's a brilliant bowler. I'm nobody to say anything about Jhulan di. Huge congratulations to her. Very happy for her 200th. Hope she can make it 250," she gushed.
(CRICBUZZ)
