South Africa Women Secure 3-0 T20 Series Lead Over India

South Africa's women's cricket team sealed a commanding 3-0 series lead over India with a nine-wicket victory in the third Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the triumph with an unbeaten 115 off 53 balls, including 14 fours and five sixes, as the hosts chased down a target of 193 in just 16.3 overs.

The match began with a 30-minute delay due to lightning, after which South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl. India set a challenging total of 192 for four in their 20 overs, powered by half-centuries from opener Shafali Verma, who scored 64 off 46 balls with eight fours and two sixes, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 66 off 38 deliveries featuring seven fours and three sixes. Smriti Mandhana contributed 37 off 25 balls at the top of the order. South Africa's bowlers struck back effectively in the powerplay, restricting India to 51 runs, with Nonkululeko Mlaba claiming two wickets for 31 runs and Nadine de Klerk taking one for 27.

In reply, Wolvaardt and opener Sune Luus forged an unbroken 183-run partnership for the first wicket, the highest for any wicket in South Africa's Twenty20 international...