In a historic moment for the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Professional Women's Domestic League, the Fidelity Titans celebrated the occasion with a resounding victory in their first televised game on International Women's Day 2024.
The electrifying atmosphere of the CSA T20 Challenge double-header at SuperSport Park was matched by an enthralling display of cricket as the Daisy Ladies dominated Recon Tactical Free State to secure a comprehensive eight-wicket victory.
The Titans, with a star-studded lineup, demonstrated their strength from the beginning. The team was led by Proteas Women stalwarts Masabata Klaas, Anneke Bosch, and the promising Eliz-Mari Marx, who had recently represented the national team. Their confidence was evident from the start.
Bosch was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 65 runs to anchor the Titans' chase. However, the Titans' success was not solely due to their batting. The bowling unit, led by Marx and Paulinah Mashishi, put up an excellent display to limit the Free State lineup to a chaseable total. Marx and Mashishi were crucial in dismantling the opposition, taking two wickets each and ensuring that the Titans had a manageable target to chase.
The CSA Professional Women's Domestic League took a significant step forward with this landmark televised match. It showcased the immense talent and competitiveness within women's cricket in South Africa.
This week, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies take on the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers in another CSA T20 Challenge doubleheader at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead on Sunday, 17 March 2024.
The weekend in the CSA Women's League was full of exciting matches across different divisions, adding to the intensity of the League.
Free State made a dramatic comeback in the CSA Women's 1-Day Cup on Saturday, winning by nine runs via DLS Method after play was halted due to lightning.
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, the DP World Lions secured consecutive victories against the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers in both the CSA Women’s 1-Day Cup and T20 Challenge.
In the CSA 1-Day Cup clash on Saturday, the Lions chose to bowl first and employed a disciplined bowling attack led by Proteas Women's star Ayabonga Khaka, resulting in an eight-wicket win.
Khaka set the tone for the Lions as they restricted the Badgers to 121 all out with impressive figures of 3/10 from seven overs.
Khaka continued her stellar performance in the CSA T20 Challenge on Sunday. She claimed a remarkable four-wicket haul with figures of 4/26 from her four overs.
Batting first, the Lions posted a competitive total of 114/5 from their allotted 20 overs thanks to contributions from Sinalo Jafta (31*), Madison Landsman (30), Diara Ramlakan (26) and Kirstie Thomson.
The Badgers fell just two runs short of their target despite spirited bowling from Andrews (3/16) and La Grange (2/16).
In Division 2, the Glencore Dragons defeated the Mpumalanga Rhinos to tighten the race in Division 2 ahead of the upcoming CSA Women's National Week.
The matches in the CSA Professional Women’s Domestic League over the weekend showcased the growing prominence of women's cricket in South Africa. The captivating spectacle displayed cricketing talent and fierce competition.
Anticipation is high for more exciting encounters and remarkable performances from the country's top women cricketers as the league progresses.
Upcoming matches in the CSA Professional Women's Domestic League
Saturday, 16 March 2024@10h00 – CSA Women’s 1 Day Cup
DIVISION 1
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers - Chatsworth Oval, Durban
DIVISION 2
Border vs Kei - Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London
Sunday, 17 March 2024 @10h00 – CSA Women’s T20 Challenge
DIVISION 1
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
DIVISION 2
Border vs Kei - Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London