In one of the biggest upsets in recent cricket memory, South Africa pulled off a three-wicket victory over the home side at Visakhapatnam. The South African team was down and almost out at 142/6 when Nadine de Klerk provided a brilliant innings. 

The Home Team’s Early Troubles

After a rain delay, the match began, and immediately, it looked tough for the home team. The top order went down like a house of dominoes and left everybody at 102/6.

Here’s what went wrong early on:

• Smriti Mandhana threw away her start after scoring 23 runs, even though she had just broken the record for most runs by a woman in a calendar year
• Jemimah Rodrigues got out for a duck, trying to sweep against left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon
• Captain Harmanpreet Kaur managed only 9 runs before departing
• Pratika Rawal made 37 but couldn’t convert it into something bigger

Richa Ghosh Leads the Fightback

Just when everything appeared to be lost, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh stepped in at number eight and performed as if she had a point to prove. She blasted 94 off 77 deliveries, including 4 huge sixes and 11 boundaries. 

Sneh Rana arrived at the crease and the pair combined for an 88 run partnership off just 53 deliveries. This partnership swung the momentum completely and presented the hosts with something to defend. Ghosh fell only 6 runs short of her maiden ODI century, when she was caught at long-on in the last over.

This partnership helped to push the total to 251, which seemed remote when half of the side was already back in the pavilion. For Cricmatch official followers watching this encounter, from start to finish it was pure drama.

Proteas Start Poorly Too

Chasing 252 seemed tough, especially after the hosts struck early. Kranti Gaud took a stunning one-handed caught-and-bowled to remove Tazmin Brits for a duck.

The visiting side slipped further when these wickets fell:

• Sune Luus went for just 5 runs
• Marizanne Kapp was bowled by Sneh Rana for 20
• Anneke Bosch departed for 1 run

At 81/5 in the 20th over, the match seemed all but over. Captain Laura Wolvaardt was still there but needed someone to stick around.

The De Klerk Show

When Nadine de Klerk came to the crease, the team was 142 for 6, with 14 overs remaining. What happened next was one of the most thrilling innings seen in recent times. 

De Klerk scored an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls, striking eight fours and five big sixes. She made sure to target the right bowlers at the right time, and kept the required run rate from spiraling out of control. 

The moment that changed the momentum of the contest came in the 47th over bowled by Kranti Gaud. In that over de Klerk hit three to the fence, two for six and one for four, and made 18 runs off that over alone. That changed the complexity of the chase. 

When she hit the final six to close the contest with seven balls remaining it sent the travelling supporters into party mode. 

Supporting Acts Made a Difference 

While de Klerk led the charge, captain Laura Wolvaardt was instrumental in holding down the anchor role. Wolvaardt scored 70 off 111 deliveries and was able to hold down one end while wickets were falling next to her. 

Chloe Tryon also contributed 49 runs off 66 balls and was integral in a 59-run partnership with Wolvaardt that stabilised after the early stages of the innings.

Earlier with the ball, Tryon had been the standout performer for the Proteas. She picked up 3 wickets for just 32 runs in her 10 overs. Her left-arm spin troubled the hosts throughout, claiming the wickets of Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Tournament Implications

The outcome dealt the hosts their initial loss of the tournament following two straight victories. For the Proteas, it was their second consecutive victory, putting the two teams tied on points.

Each side now has four points after three contests. The hosts will compete their next match against defend-ing champions Australia in Visakhapatnam on October 12th, while the Proteas will take on Bangladesh at the same venue on October 13th.

This is the third successive World Cup in which the Proteas have beaten the hosts, after-beating- them in 2017 and 2022. For those following matches on Cricmatch official platforms, this contest will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history. 

This match yet again shows cricket is like life, where nothing is ever decided until the last ball is bowled. Both teams displayed tremendous spirit to fight, but the Proteas showed composure when it counted.