Tigresses lurch from bad to worse

The Bangladesh women's cricket team's batting woes went from bad in Potchefstroom to worse in Kimberly as they crashed to defeat in the five-match ODI series against their South African counterparts with two matches still to be played. The home side posted a punishing nine-wicket victory with 214 balls remaining in the third ODI at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley yesterday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The visitors scored 164 runs in chase of 271 to suffer a 106-run defeat in the first game, and were then bundled out for 89 in the second game to endure another nine-wicket defeat at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. In Kimberly yesterday, they could manage just 71 before being bundled out in 36.5 overs.

Wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana was the top scorer with an unbeaten 33 off 97 balls that contained three boundaries and Panna Ghosh was the other batter to reach double digits with 12 runs.

Home pacer Ayabonga Khaka claimed three wickets for 16 runs while her new ball partner Marizanne Kapp took two for 14.

In reply, South Africa reached the target in 14.2 overs for the solitary loss of opener Andrie Steyn, who scored 12. Lizelle Lee hit an unbeaten 44 off 51 balls with five fours and a six.

Bangladesh will take on the hosts in the fourth ODI on May 11 at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.