Cri-zelda Brits gives SA the lead

South Africa women 163 for 3 (Brits 60*) beat West Indies women 160 (Taylor 66, van Niekerk 3-37, Fritz 3-11) by seven wickets
Scorecard

	Shanel Daley was one of seven West Indies batsmen to be dismissed in single figures © Getty Images Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Cri-zelda Brits | Dane van Niekerk Matches: South Africa Women v West Indies Women at Paarl Series/Tournaments: West Indies Women tour of South Africa Teams: South Africa | West Indies

A disciplined bowling performance from the South Africa women followed by Cri-zelda Brits' half-century gave the hosts an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series against West Indies women. South Africa bowled tight to dismiss the visitors for only 160 and they suffered no major setbacks in their chase, reaching the target with 56 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.

Opening batsman Stafanie Taylor top-scored for West Indies, making 66 off 73 balls, before she was superbly caught by Marcia Letsoalo off Charlize van der Westhuizen. The rest of the top order contributed virtually nothing and only three other batsmen got into double figures. Sixteen-year old Dane van Niekerk picked up 3 for 37, running through the middle order, while Shandre Fritz mopped up the tail with figures of 3 for 11.

Unlike their West Indian counterparts, the South African top order got stuck in and made valuable contributions to the chase. Openers Trisha Chetty and Kristie Thomson made 42 and 27 respectively, adding 50 for the first wicket in only 8.3 overs. After Thomson was dismissed, Brits and Chetty added 86 runs for the second wicket, virtually shutting the West Indians out of the game. Brits remained undefeated and went past 1000 runs during her innings.

"I have been looking forward to it (1000 runs) for some time and I'm relieved that it is over, now I can look forward to higher achievements," Brits said. "It took me some time because I started my career at the bottom of the order so I'm looking to get to the 2000 mark much faster. I'm feeling good about my form after today's knock hopefully the runs will keep flowing."

South Africa have now won two games on the trot and the West Indies need to win the final match on Friday in Newlands to level the series.