It required a magnificent effort by the ever-reliable Richa Ghosh to help India recover from a perilous position and post a fighting total against South Africa at the VDCA Stadium on Thursday. Her brilliant knock of 94 was the cornerstone as the home team recovered from a doddering six down for 102 to 251, after they were asked to bat first, following a hour-long delayed start due to rain.

After failing to restrict the hosts, despite having them against the ropes, the South Africans seemed demoralised and it showed in the way they went about chasing the stiff target. At the time of going to press, South Africa were 192-6 in 44 overs. The visitors had lost their top five wickets for less than 100 runs. Opener Laura Wolvaardt was leading SA’s scoring chart for with 70 off 111 balls.