Argentina clinch series with comfortable win in Women's International over Brazil

Brasilian opening bowler Sabrina Tisbierek in action, recording excellent figures of 1 for 4 in 3 overs. Backing-up is Catalina Greloni © ICC

Argentina took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match 20/20 women's international cricket series after cruising to a convincing 8-wicket win over Brasil in Curitiba. After the previous day's exciting last-over finish, this time Argentina left no room for doubt as romped to victory with 4,3 overs to spare.

After being put in to bat, Brasil were more cautious at the crease, and although not losing any early wickets, struggled for runs to have only 18 runs on the scoreboard at the 10-over halfway mark. A flurry of boundaries saw the Brasilians accelerate thereafter, but their total of 60 for 5 in 20 overs just did not feel like enough against the Argentines.

Juliana Brito repeated her score of the first game with another accomplished 20, including 3 fours, and skipper Erika Reinehr added 12, but Brasil fell perhaps 20 or 30 runs short of what they would surely have liked. Accurate bowling, from Alison Prince (1-7 in 4 overs), Shirley Seaton and Catalina Greloni (both 1-15 in 4 overs), allied with some determined fielding, never really allowed the Brasilians to ever dominate with the bat.

Alison Prince drives on her way to an undefeated 23 © ICC

The fears over Brasil's below-par score proved correct, as after losing Clara Etcheverria with the total on 10, joint player of the match Alison Prince (23 not out, with 2 fours) and Elena Garcia Favre (20, with 3 fours) added a fine 47-run second wicket partnership to take Argentina to the brink of victory, and clinching the series with one game to play.

Brasilian skipper Erika Reinehr only conceded 9 runs off her 4 overs, and Sabrina Tisbierek took 1-4 off 3 overs, but ultimately their lack of experience showed, and Argentina were simply too strong on the day.

In the final match scheduled for Sunday, Brasil will be looking for a morale boosting win, one which would not be undeserved based on their efforts over the first two days, while no doubt Argentina will be looking to make it 3 out of 3 on this tour.