India Women Bat First Against South Africa Women in Crucial Match

Done and dusted with the pre-game formalities, and it is now time to get the play underway. The South African players form a huddle near the boundary ropes before striding onto the field of play. The umpires have also taken their places, and out walks the Indian opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, to a big round of applause from the crowd. Marizanne Kapp has the new ball in hand, and she's raring to go. Let's play...

We are a few minutes away from the start of the game. But first, the flags of both teams are unfurled and the two sets of players line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the Indian national anthem first, followed by that of South Africa.

PITCH REPORT - Former English pacer, Isa Guha, is pitchside. She starts by wishing everyone a Happy Father's Day in the UK and mentions that the weather is lovely, with a bit of cloud cover around, and the wind has died down quite a bit from when the last game was played here. She further talks about the dimensions, informing that the straight hit is a long 70 meters, and the square boundaries are 61 meters on either side. Former Whiter Ferns' wicket-keeper, Katey Martin, joins her and starts by saying that the pitch looks good, and it is a new pitch for today's game. Katey goes on to say that it is dry underneath and there is grass on it, but it's fluffy grass, and it will suit the spinners more. Reckons that the pacers will have to use the cutters and bowl straight.

The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that they would have batted first as well, but will now look to restrict the opposition. Adds that they all know what's at stake today and will look to stay in the present. On facing India, she says that it feels nice to have won against them recently, but India have gotten the better of them in recent World Cups as well. Ends by informing that they have made a couple of changes as well, catering to the balance of the team.

The captain of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur says that they will bat first. Adds that it's a good pitch and they will try to post a good total. She reckons that it's been an amazing journey for her, and she is playing her 200th game. She adds that the crowd has been their biggest support, and they will entertain them. She mentions that Prema comes in for Shreyanka, and Arundhati Reddy comes in as well for Kranti Gaud, who is resting.

Marizanne Kapp to Shafali Verma, Honing in on a good length, on the off stump. Verma punches it away towards extra cover. Laura Wolvaardt dives to her left but can only make a half stop. It dribbles behind and Shafali comes back for the second run.

Marizanne Kapp to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! TIMBER! A much-needed wicket for South Africa Women, and Marizanne Kapp has the last laugh. Marizanne Kapp bowls it on a length, on middle, Smriti Mandhana moves to her off side and exposes all three stumps. She tries to paddle it over fine leg but misses it completely as the ball hits the top of middle. Smriti Mandhana's cameo comes to an end. India Women are 30/1 after 3 overs.