By Srian Obeyesekere

In a high scoring over 300
contest, India prevailed over South Africa by 23 runs yesterday asr the Proteas went down and out of the Women’s Tri Series fighting in a brave show of courage ending on 314 for 7 in 50 overs after India, put in to bat by stand in captain Chloe Tryon for indisposed regular captain Laura Wolvaardt, ran amok reaching 337 for 9 off 50 thriving on a late show rampage on ton up Jemimah Rodrigues’ scintillating 123 off 101 balls inclusive of 12 boundaries and 3 sixes and Deepal Sharma 93 off 84 with 10 fours and 3 sixes as No’s 6 and 7 freed their arms after their opponents had reduced the Indians to 50 for 3 wickets by the 7th over at one stage at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

In what was a decisive must win game for South Africa to staying in an against the odds race to making it to the finals where victory in this game and versus hosts Sri Lanka would have raised their hopes to the finals, their blank misadventure continued in a sad so close but yet so far clanging mounted by Annerie Dercksen’s run a ball 81 with 5 boundaries and 2 sixes with the late charge by skipper Chloe Tryon 67 off 43 powered by 5 lusty blows to the stands and 4 boundaries a praiseworthy effort of the valiant in that final score of 314 for 7 in going down honorably.

India 337 for 9 (Rodrigues 123, Deepti 93, Mandhana 51, Klaas 2-51) beat South Africa 314 for 7 (Dercksen 81, Tryon 67, Amanjot 3-59) by 23 runs.