Dubai, March 05, 2022 (PPI-OT):The one they told you not to worry about, Ayabonga Khaka took her first chance to remind the world why she is South Africa’s silent assassin.
Lacking the snarl of Shabnim Ismail or star power of Marizanne Kapp, this quiet southpaw risked flying under the radar at ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.
No danger of that after Khaka’s inspired spell of 4/14 single-handedly saw South Africa past debutants Bangladesh in Dunedin.
In doing so, she became the fifth South African woman to claim 100 ODI wickets – joining Ismail (156), Kapp (134), Sune Luus (108) and the absent Dane van Niekerk (138).
Khaka always had the skill – if not always the hype – to belong in such an exalted company, reaching the milestone at the 74th attempt, on the biggest stage of them all.
And how they needed her to step up after South Africa’s latest bid for a first World Cup title got off to a bad start with the bat.
They have had six cracks at this tournament and reached two semi-finals but Bangladesh made them look like the tentative first-timers when they inserted them at University Oval.
Laura Wolvaardt, star of the 2017 edition, couldn’t cut loose and was short of a top-order partner in crime in the absence of new mother Lizelle Lee due to a late arrival in New Zealand and subsequent quarantine restrictions.
The innings only got off the ground when the ebullient Chloe Tryon and Kapp clubbed together for a thrilling stand of 71, lifting South Africa to a sub-par 207 all out.
The last four Proteas wickets fell inside five overs, the momentum swaying and staying with Bangladesh in the early stages of the run chase.
Khaka took the new white ball in last month’s tune-up series against West Indies but Kapp’s return to the fold saw her relegated to first change.
Neither Ismail nor Kapp could dislodge circumspect openers Sharmin Akhter and Shamima Sultana who steered their side through 19 overs, all the way to 67 without loss.
Kapp saw the need for Khaka’s grit and skill as early as the seventh over, though, and the 29-year-old delivered a water-tight first spell. 17 of her first 18 balls were dots.
After a ten-over breather, Khaka returned for a second spell and pitched the ball up even further, yielding a breakthrough with her third ball as Sultana was clean bowled.
Her next over? Two wickets in three balls and the spirit of Bangladesh’s run chase snapped, a pair of beautifully pitched up deliveries that induced nicks to Trisha Chetty.
Khaka’s 100th ODI wicket came with her worst ball of the day – and probably one of the worst of them all – as Rumana Ahmed chopped a wide one to Chetty.
Head coach Hilton Moreeng paid tribute to Khaka, saying, “For sure she is the unsung hero of this attack but she is growing in stature herself.
“She has been consistent, economical and worked extremely hard to improve her game. She’s getting the rewards for the hard work and the professionalism she has shown over the years.
“She is a good student of the game and assesses any opposition and any conditions very well. That’s what gives her the edge in games like today when the chips are down.
“We are proud of her today and she deserves all the accolades.”
So much credit has to go to Bangladesh, ranked number six in the world and making a long-awaited first World Cup appearance here.
Talismanic seamer Jahanara Alam and teenager Fariha Trisna bowled beautifully in tandem up front, showing they are far more than just a series of wily spinners.
They rallied hard after Khaka did the middle-overs damage, with Ritu Moni and captain Nigar Sultana for a pinch-hitting partnership to rival the best at this level.
Bangladesh will pose a real threat to top teams starting with New Zealand on Monday, themselves looking to get their World Cup back on track.
South Africa have a whole heap of work to do to challenge and on the strength of this lukewarm performance. But when it comes to Khaka – don’t say you weren’t warned.
For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com