South Africa cruise to statement World Cup win over Windies

Women's T20 World Cup, Dubai

West Indies 118-6 (20 overs): Taylor 44* (41); Mlaba 4-29

South Africa 119-0 (17.5 overs): Wolvaardt 59* (55), Brits 57* (52)

South Africa won by 10 wickets

Scorecard

South Africa opened their Women's T20 World Cup with a statement 10-wicket win over West Indies in Dubai.

Last year's finalists reached their below-par target of 119 with 13 balls to spare as Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits both struck impressive half-centuries.

Captain Wolvaardt finished unbeaten on 59 and Brits made 57 to complete a dominant performance with both bat and ball.

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba took 4-29 and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp 2-14 as West Indies stuttered to 118-6 after being put in to bat.

Kapp took the prize wicket of captain Hayley Matthews for just 10 before Mlaba worked her way through the middle order, with West Indies slipping to 83-6.

But former captain Stafanie Taylor's unbeaten 44 from 41 balls gave the 2016 champions a late boost, though her lone effort proved in vain as the Proteas openers let loose against an unthreatening bowling display.

South Africa hosted the previous World Cup and reached their first ever global final before losing to six-time champions Australia, but this opening win sent a clear message to their opponents that they are confident of going one step further.

They take on England in their next group match in Sharjah on Monday, while West Indies will hope to bounce back against Scotland a day earlier.

Ruthless South Africa start in style

South Africa's incredible run to the final in 2023 came after a shock defeat by Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, but in Dubai those nerves were nowhere to be seen as they thoroughly outplayed their opponents.

West Indies rely so heavily on the world-class Matthews, and even the returning Deandra Dottin and a contribution from the hugely experienced Taylor could not ease that pressure.

Kapp and her team roared with delight as Matthews was caught behind in the third over, indicative of the wicket's significance. From there, South Africa hit the accelerator and never looked back.

With Kapp adding Dottin's wicket to her tally for just 13, West Indies' inexperienced middle order wilted under Mlaba's relentless accuracy which forced Taylor to drop anchor.

Opener Qiana Joseph struggled for four from 14 balls, heaping the pressure on Matthews even further before she was bowled to become Mlaba's first victim. Taylor led a brief recovery with Shemaine Campbelle before the latter was bowled for 17, and Chinelle Henry was caught behind from the next ball to leave West Indies reeling.

The middle order collapse left Taylor too much to do, and South Africa made the chase look supremely easy, something nobody has managed during the early stages of this tournament as teams adapt to the slow, humid conditions in the United Arab Emirates.

Wolvaardt's knock was full of her trademark class, driving crisply through the covers at will, while Brits displayed her power with bludgeoning blows down the ground.

'An exemplary performance' - reaction

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews: "A very disappointing game, not the way we wanted to start. We have to pick up the pieces quickly, it's a long tournament, we've still got a shot with it but it's going to take some performances."

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt: "It was pretty excellent all-round from the team. The way that Marizanne started with those two early wickets and then the four wickets from Nonkululeko Mlaba, we were really pleased."

South African journalist Firdose Moonda on BBC Test Match Special: "This has been an exemplary performance from South Africa.

"The only downside, I would say, is that the rest of the batters won't have a chance to get out there and have a go on this wicket. They play England next so it would have been good for them."