RSA-W Vs WI-W, Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Highlights: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits Hit Fifties In South Africa's 10-Wicket Win Over West Indies

West Indies Women Squad: Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews(c), Shemaine Campbelle(w), Chedean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Zaida James, Deandra Dottin, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Nerissa Crafton

South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta(w), Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Ayanda Hlubi, Mieke de Ridder

Besides the South Africa vs West Indies fixture, India too get their T20 WC journey underway against New Zealand. Indian opener Shafali Verma said it has been a dream of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to win the tournament, in which they finished runners-up in the 2020 edition.

"Harmanpreet di is very passionate about the game. Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for her, and I hope we can make that dream come true. She's a great player, a great teammate, and a fantastic captain who inspires and motivates us all the time," Shafali said of the skipper.

Get a lowdown of West Indies' women fixtures, past results, squad and other details, right here.

South Africa women won the toss and opted to bowl first

Playing XIs:

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta(w), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

West Indies Women: Hayley Matthews(c), Qiana Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle(w), Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

It is very hot and humid in Dubai. The temperature at Dubai International Stadium is around 37 degrees Celsius and it's a day game. The square boundaries are 63m and 53m respectively but the straight one is at 73m. Seamers might get some assistance from the pitch early on. Otherwise, batters will find it easier on this strip.

West Indies opened the batting with Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph. Marizanne Kapp started with the first over and conceded six runs including a boundary.

WI-W - 6/0 (1)

Marizanne Kapp continued her attack from one side and got rid of the West Indies captain on the fourth delivery of her second over. Before that, Matthews hit a boundary but Kapp shortened her length and got her caught behind.

WI-W - 15/1 (4)

Nonkululeko Mlaba was introduced into the attack in the fifth over and she dismissed the opener batter, Qiana Joseph on the fourth delivery of the over. Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor are at the crease after two wickets.

WI-W - 23/2 (5)

Marizanne Kapp was re-introduced into the attack and she removed the set batter Deandra Dottin. Captain Laura Wolvaardt took a good catch to send her back to the pavilion.

WI-W - 38/3 (8)

Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle managed to get 14 runs from Annerie Dercksen's first over. They extracted five runs from the next over of Chloe Tryon. Sune Luus was introduced after the drinks break and she also leaked five runs.

WI-W - 62/3 (11)

Nonkululeko Mlaba was reintroduced into the attack in the 12th over and she dismissed two batters on consecutive deliveries. She bowled Campbelle on the 4th delivery then removed Chinelle Henry on the next delivery.

WI-W - 79/5 (14)

Nonkululeko Mlaba came to bowl her last over and she dismissed Aaliyah Alleyne on the first delivery to get her fourth wicket in the match. Stafanie Taylor smashed a six in the over. She finished her spell with the figures of 4-0-29-4.

WI-W - 93/6 (16)

Stafanie Taylor is the sole batter left in the West Indies side and she is taking up her responsibility carefully. She changed the gears in the death overs.

WI-W - 109/6 (19)

Zaida James hit a boundary in the last over which took the West Indies women to 118 runs. Now, South Africa women need 119 runs to win this match.

WI-W - 118/6 (20)

Brief Score: WI-W - 118/6 (20)

Stafanie Taylor - 44 (41), Shemaine Campbelle - 17 (21) | Nonkululeko Mlaba - (4-0-29-4)

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened the batting for South Africa and Chinelle Henry started with the first over. She leaked nine runs from the over.

RSA-W - 9/0 (1)

South Africa women have managed to extract 43 runs in the first powerplay. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt are taking the innings forward with a brilliant display of power-hitting.

RSA-W - 43/0 (6)

Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt are going smoothly towards the target and completed the fifty-run partnership in the seventh over. Both batters are not giving any chance to their opponents. West Indies bowlers are looking for their first breakthrough.

RSA-W - 60/0 (9)

South Africa are reaching closer to the target as West Indies try to break the first partnership. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt have added 89 runs unbeaten and may achieve the target in the next few overs.

RSA-W - 89/0 (13)

First, Laura Wolvaardt completed her half-century in just 45 balls in the 15th over then Tazmin Brits completed her fifty in the next over. Now, South Africa women need just nine runs off 24 balls to win the match.

RSA-W - 110/0 (16)

Laura Wolvaardt sealed the victory for South Africa women with a single on the fifth delivery of the 18th over. South Africa win their first match by 10 wickets.

RSA-W - 119/0 (17.5)

This is very special for me as I know I am playing for a lot of people back in South Africa. Feels good. For me, it was about targeting the stumps, really went well today. The support from my mates, always special. I was sitting in the changing room, they (Wolvaardt and Brits) did well and I am so happy for them.

Obviously a very disappointing game, not the way we wanted to start the tournament. We want to pick the pieces up quickly and bounce back. It's a long tournament. They bowled really well. We were able to build in some partnerships, but not able to strike the way we wanted to.

Not that easy, one of the harder knocks. Not ideal (over-rate), had to squeeze in a lot of spin. Tough to manage with the heat, we were able to make it. Excellent throughout. To win it with ten in the shed is amazing as well.

The last edition's runner-ups started their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a banger. A 10-wicket win to start the season for South Africa women. That's all from our side. Take care and goodbye!