Belligerent Tryon blasts Proteas to Tri-Series win over India

A brilliant half-century by all-rounder Chloe Tryon guided the Proteas to a 5-wicket win over India in the Tri-Series final at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.

After India won the toss and opted to make first use of the wicket, they were in immediate trouble when left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Smriti Mandhana for an eight-ball duck.

From that point, India struggled to find their way into the contest, and after the powerplay, the Proteas were well on top after restricting the visitors to 18 for 1 at a run rate of just 3 per over.

That slow rate led to the dismissal of Jemimah Rodrigues (11) as she was brilliantly stumped by Sinalo Jafta as the impressive Mlaba (2/16) snared her second wicket to leave India on 21 for 2 at the end of the second over.

India desperately needed a partnership, which came from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Harleen Deol, who put on 48 for the third wicket.

Kaur led the way, scoring 21 at a run-a-ball, but she was out in the 15th over, trying to launch Sune Luus (1/22) over extra cover only to be stumped by Jafta to leave India at 69-3 with five overs left in their innings.

Deol (46) continued in the anchor role for India, losing her wicket in the final over when she was bowled by Ayabonga Khaka (1/17).

Together with Deepti Sharma, Deol helped India to 109 for 4 after their 20 overs.

That total, while not substantial, was still a difficult target considering the slowness of the Buffalo Park pitch and the Indian attack, which included several spinners.

That was obvious from the first over from off-spinner Deepti Sharma bowled a maiden to Laura Wolvaardt.

India then opted for the left-arm spin of Rajeshwari Gayakwad for the second over, but Tazmin Brits showed some positive intent by