South Africa women restore some pride

South Africa 91 for 0 (Brits 62*) defeated West Indies 90 by ten wickets
Scorecard

South Africa restored some pride with a resounding ten-wicket win in their final one-dayer against West Indies at the Technikon Oval, Pretoria, to end the series 2-1. The hosts reduced West Indies to 90 all out, and then knocked the runs off with more than half their overs to spare as Cri-Zelda Brits steered them to victory with 62 not out. Daleen Terblanche (10) retired hurt, leaving Johmari Logtenberg to polish the job off with an unbeaten 15.

Alicia Smith and Shandre Fritz were the star bowlers for South Africa, each taking three wickets, while Nadine George was the only West Indian to achieve double figures: she made 22.

But such a convincing victory will only temporarily soothe a troubled South Africa, and is the thinnest of paper over the widest of cracks. After exiting the World Cup through a miserable performance in the group stages, and then losing the one-day series against West Indies after the second match, their coach Stephen Jones called on the board to create new academies and provide a goal for South Africa. Today's victory will buoy South African spirits, but much still remains to be done.