India and South Africa women script history with four hundreds in a Women's ODI for the first time

India and South Africa batters smashed four hundreds combined during second ODI match on June 19.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a historic display of powerful batting as India and South Africa’s women cricketers combined scored record-breaking four centuries in the second ODI of the three-match series on June 19. 

After being asked to bat first, Women in Blue displayed a stunning batting performance with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana smashing respective centuries. Their hundreds led Indian side to reach 325/3 in 50 overs.

While chasing a tough total of 326 runs, Proteas lost three batters inside first 15 overs as they reach 67/3. However, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt (135*) and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp’s blistering century put the visitors in the commanding position. Towards the end visitors needed 11 runs in the last over with six wickets in hand.

However, Women in Blue pacer Pooja Vastrakar kept her nerves calm as she took two wickets in the 50th over of the second innings and defended 11 runs as the hosts registered a close victory by four runs. 

With this victory Harmanpreet-led side took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series. The final game will be played on June 23 in Bengaluru.

India and South Africa’s women batters hammer four centuries in an ODI match

Earlier in the first innings, veteran opener Smriti Mandhana set the tone for her side with a fantastic seventh ODI century. Mandhana smashed 136 runs on 120 deliveries, which included 18 boundaries and two maximums.

The stylish batter also equaled legendary cricketer Mithali Raj’s record for most ODI tons by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs. Adding more to it, Mandhana became the first Indian women batter to smash back-to-back hundreds in ODIs.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also unleashed her beast mode against Proteas in the second ODI match. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 103 runs in 88 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes.

She along with Mandhana, also stitched together a crucial partnership of 171 runs, which helped the hosts go past the 300-run mark.

Later in the second innings when South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp scored their respective hundreds, the match entered record books as it became first ever instance of four hundreds being registered in a women’s ODI cricket match. The previous best was three hundreds, achieved in a women’s ODI between England and South Africa in 2018.

When England and South Africa batters combined scored three hundreds during the ODI series in 2018.

During the second ODI match of the three-match series on June 12, 2018, between England and Proteas, three batters smashed centuries.

English opener Tammy Beaumont hammered 101 runs while former cricketer Sarah Taylor scored 118 runs, which helped their side reach 331/6 in 50 overs.

While chasing, South Africa’s Lizelle Lee’s 117-run knock went in vain as Proteas lost the match by 69 runs.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.