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.
