Netherlands Women vs South Africa Women Match 24 Full Commentary

Welcome back for the Dutch reply. With Heather Siegers missing out due to illness, the new opening partner for Phebe Molkenboer is Sanya Khurana. Marizanne Kapp has the new ball in hand. Molkenboer is on strike with a slip in place. Let's go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A big test awaits the Dutch - It is a mountain to climb for the Netherlands, but if there is one thing they have shown throughout this tournament, it is that there has been no shortage of fight. As for South Africa, they will be keen to register as comprehensive a victory as possible to give their net run rate a significant boost in the race for the semifinals. Stick around as the chase is coming up shortly.

A quick word - Hannah Landheer says that getting her maiden wicket felt amazing. Adds that Laura Wolvaardt is an amazing player and getting her out was special. Mentions that it was tough out there with hot conditions. Ends by saying that there are runs on the board, but their batters are ready as well.

Brits and Dercksen finish in style - Annerie Dercksen joined in and ensured South Africa maintained the momentum right till the end of the innings. 50 runs came off the last 3 overs as South Africa finished with a flourish. Babette de Leede used as many as 7 bowling options, and when you have that many at your disposal, it can be difficult to know whom to turn to and when. That perhaps seemed to be the case for the Dutch skipper, who struggled to find a combination that could stem the flow of runs. Just one over each for Robine Rijke and Myrthe van den Raad came as a bit of a surprise, especially considering the punishment some of the other bowlers had taken.

A platform well laid - After opting to bowl first, the Dutch were all over the place with their line and lengths in the Powerplay, something they simply could not afford against a batting line-up of South Africa's quality. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits cashed in to lay a solid platform for the Proteas. Once the field spread, the Netherlands managed to bring the scoring rate down to some extent and also created a few chances, but they failed to convert them. Closing in on her fifty, Brits went through a brief quiet period but regained momentum soon after. She shifted through the gears brilliantly and brought up her maiden T20I century.

A dominant batting display - South Africa started positively in the Powerplay and finished the innings just as strongly. Runners-up in each of the last two editions, the Proteas Women have registered their highest total in a Women's T20 World Cup game. It was another tough outing in the field for the Netherlands, not too different from what they endured against India and Australia.

Time for the final over. Iris Zwilling to bowl. 3-0-32-0 so far for Zwilling.

Silver Siegers (3-0-37-0) to bowl the 19th over.

An over without a boundary, only the 2nd in this innings and both have been bowled by Caroline de Lange. Pace back on through Hannah Landheer.

Curtains down - That wraps up an entertaining contest in Bristol, where South Africa secured a crucial win and two valuable points, while the Netherlands' wait for a first-ever Women's T20 World Cup victory goes on. The action now shifts to Old Trafford in Manchester, where Scotland Women will take on Sri Lanka Women on Friday, 26th June, with the match set to begin at 5.30 pm GMT. As always, you can join us a little earlier for all the build-up and pre-match coverage. Until then, thank you for your company and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says it was a pretty decent effort with the bat. She adds that they assessed early on that it was a good wicket to bat on and looked to make the most of the conditions by being positive in the Powerplay. She heaps praise on Tazmin Brits, saying she batted excellently and held the innings together. Laura says the Dutch got off to a pretty good start with the bat, but her bowlers did well to take the pace off the ball through the middle overs, which helped them regain control of the game. Looking ahead to the clash at Lord's, she says it will be awesome to play at such an iconic venue. She acknowledges Bangladesh's strong spin attack, and she wants her side to bat positively against them.

The captain of Netherlands Women - Babette de Leede says that they were thinking of restricting South Africa to around 170-180. Adds that they batted really well and 200 plus was a bit too much for them. Mentions that Sanya Khurana and Phebe Molkenboer batted well, but unfortunately, they could not carry the momentum in the middle. Shares that they have grown more and more with every game. Their fielding has improved, but the bowling is still not up to the mark. However, she hopes it clicks, and they can win over Pakistan in the next game. Says that the support from the Orange Army has been amazing, even the ones back home. Admits that having friends and family out here supporting them feels special.

Time to hear from the two captains now...

A clinical finish with the ball - South Africa Women may be slightly concerned by their inability to strike in the Powerplay, though they were denied an early breakthrough when Chloe Tryon put down a chance off Marizanne Kapp's bowling. Kapp was outstanding with the new ball, extracting movement and conceding just 11 runs from her three overs. The breakthrough eventually came in the eighth over through Tryon, before Shabnim Ismail added another to put the Proteas in control. From there, the wickets flowed at the death, with Ayabonga Khaka claiming a superb three-wicket haul and Tryon adding another scalp as South Africa wrapped up a comfortable victory.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Undoubtedly, Tazmin Brits wins the award for her unbeaten century (114 off 69). She says she cannot remember too much about the innings, but mentions that she particularly enjoyed going over cover. She admits she did not realise she was closing in on a hundred, as her sole focus was on helping South Africa get past the 200-run mark. Reflecting on the previous game against India, she says she was disappointed with herself for putting Laura Wolvaardt under pressure and wanted to show a lot more intent today. She ends by saying that, whether she is in the playing XI or not, she always tries to represent the badge with pride and, when given the opportunity, gives her best for the country.

Brits steals the show - Earlier in the game, South Africa Women powered their way to their highest total while batting first in this World Cup, driven by a magnificent unbeaten century from Tazmin Brits. She shared a commanding 121-run opening stand with captain Laura Wolvaardt, laying the perfect platform before Annerie Dercksen's explosive 37 off just 16 balls propelled the Proteas beyond the 200-run mark. It was a tough day in the field for the Netherlands Women in the sweltering Bristol heat, but there was one special moment to cherish as Hannah Landheer claimed her maiden T20 World Cup wicket, a milestone she will remember for a long time.

Dutch run out of steam - Netherlands Women came out with positive intent, racing to 50 in the Powerplay as both openers took the attack to the South African bowlers. Phebe Molkenboer's new opening partner, Sanya Khurana, contributed a brisk 36 off 30 before departing, while Phebe Molkenboer held one end together with a determined 41. However, once the fielding restrictions were lifted, the scoring rate slowed dramatically, and the chase gradually drifted away from them. Sterre Kalis provided a handy contribution in the middle overs, but the Dutch suffered a late collapse, slipping from 100/1 to 120/8 and eventually falling well short of a daunting target.

Proteas keep the pressure on - South Africa Women firmly keep themselves in the race for the semi-finals with a commanding performance in Bristol. They may have hoped for an even bigger victory margin, but credit must go to the Netherlands Women, who refused to throw in the towel and fought hard in pursuit of a daunting target. The chase was always going to be a huge challenge, and the Dutch eventually slipped to their fourth successive defeat. However, for a team playing in their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup, every game is part of a valuable learning journey.

Caroline de Lange to face the hat-trick ball.

Hannah Landheer walks out to the middle now.

Out goes Babette de Leede, in comes Myrthe van den Raad.

It's falling apart for the Dutch rather quickly now. Iris Zwilling is the next batter in.

Another one goes down. Frederique Overdijk comes out to the middle now.

The next batter in is Robine Rijke.