Smriti stars in India's huge win over S. Africa in women's 2nd ODI

Smriti Mandhana ()

Kimberley, Feb 7 - Opener Smriti Mandhana struck 135 runs to help the Indian women's cricket team hammer South Africa by 178 runs as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match One-day International series, part of the ICC Women's Championship, here on Wednesday.

Smriti belted a 129-ball 135, laced with 14 fours and a six, while vice captain Harmanpreet Kaur (55 not out off 69 balls; 4X2, 6X1) and Veda Krishnamurthy (51 not out off 33; 4X6, 6X1) pressed the accelerator to guide the visitors to a mammoth 302/3 in the second game.

India then rode on impressive spin bowling from leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (4/24), left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/14), off-spinner Deepti Sharma 2/34) to bowl out the hosts for 124 in 30.5 overs as India gained valuable points for the World Cup 2021 qualification.

Right-handed opening batswoman Lizelle Lee waged a lonely battle for the hosts, scoring 73 off 75 deliveries. Apart from Lizelle, who notched her 13th fifty, Marizanne Kapp (17) was the only other South African who managed to reach double-digit score.

Earlier, put in to bat, the visitors got off to a flier with Smriti and Poonam Raut (20 off 37; 4X3) putting on 56 runs, before Poonam departed caught behind by Trisha Chetty off pacer Marizanne.

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