At the Women’s World Cup, lower-order batters are proving the overall strength of the game

In South Africa’s three-wicket victory over India at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on 9 October, the two top scorers for their nations were batters coming in at No 8.

Richa Ghosh batted brilliantly in her innings of 94 off 77 balls to rescue India from being 102 for six to managing 251 all out. South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk then bludgeoned 84 runs off 54 deliveries to win the match for the Proteas.

It was a tremendous innings from both of them and it could not have happened a few years ago. Not because either batter is not talented enough to play the innings, but because batters of their talent would not be batting so low in the order for their country.

The standard of women’s cricket globally has risen to such an extent that such marvellous innings from lower-order batters have become a reality. Batting line-ups are stronger and teams bat deeper than ever before in the women’s game.

Ghosh’s score in this World Cup innings is the highest ever from someone batting at No 8 or lower in women’s one-day international cricket and De Klerk’s is the second-highest. They both surpassed Protea Chloe Tryon’s score of 74 off 51 scored at No 8 earlier this year against Sri Lanka.

In total, there have been 13 half-centuries from No 8 batters in the history of the women’s 50-over game. Eight of them have come in the past three years.

There have been four scores of 50 or more from No 9, and they have all been scored in the past seven years. At No 10, there has only been one half-century and that was struck by Australia’s Alana King at this World Cup when she produced an unbeaten 51 off 49 deliveries against Pakistan.

The quality of batting throughout line-ups, including the tail, has increased exponentially and made this World Cup that much better.

Emerging talent

Although the remarkable lower-order batting has mainly come from the historically stronger sides that have better domestic resources to nurture talent, the World Cup has still been highly competitive.

King’s knock against Pakistan was out of necessity to help dig her team out of a hole. Australia were on 115 for eight when she walked out. Her rearguard half-century took the team to 221 in 50 overs.

Pakistan were rolled for 114 in their chase. Had King’s cameo not happened, Pakistan would have had an incredible opportunity to record their first win over the defending ICC Cricket World Cup champions.

Similarly, England were in a spot of bother against Bangladesh on 78 for five while chasing 182, but then a heroic innings from Heather Knight carried them to victory.

It’s been a tournament of “almosts” for the subcontinent sides. South Africa, comparably, needed another late De Klerk flourish to beat Bangladesh by three wickets on Monday, 13 October.

Read more: Nadine de Klerk slams Proteas to victory in thriller against Bangladesh

The conditions in host countries India and Sri Lanka have helped even things out slightly. But the emergence of talented youngsters, including Shorna Akter (18) of Bangladesh, has helped too. Akter smacked the fastest-ever half-century (off 34 balls) for Bangladesh to scare South Africa into a brilliant run chase.

This World Cup has shown that the historical gulf between the top nations and those below them is closing bit by bit.

“I feel like the gap is closing,” all-rounder Tryon said. “The team that stays calm the longest will get over the line.

“Every single game is important in this World Cup. We’re not taking anything for granted. Bangladesh came really hard at us and put us in really tough situations.”

Despite all the promise and the near wins, the table still looks to be shaping up into a familiar pattern at this stage. Australia and England are at the top, joined by South Africa and India in the semifinal spots with New Zealand just missing out, although a lot can still change.

Although the gap is steadily narrowing, it’s not quite closed yet. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have threatened the top teams, but they have not yet been able to jump over the line.

If the current progress trajectory continues, there could be a shake-up in the table at the next 50-over showpiece.

Read more: Proteas Women rebound as Mlaba’s spin magic and Brits’ century propel World Cup comeback

Team sport

South Africa will be sticking to their processes on their quest to keep the chasing teams at bay while closing in on Australia and England.

“We’re just making sure that we’re still playing our brand of cricket,” Tryon said. “Every single game has been exciting but also a little bit nerve-[racking] at times. I’m just happy that we’re finding ways to get over the line.

“It’s really exciting for the women’s game to see how exciting the games are and how that gap is closing and seeing the young talent on stage, which is really awesome to see.”

South Africa hit a massive bump in the road in their opening match against England, when they were bowled out for 69 before falling to a humiliating 10-wicket loss. They bounced back with a three-match winning streak, but they still have not played their best cricket in the tournament yet.

Their aim will be to peak at the right time, with their place in the semifinals almost secured despite their inconsistent showings.

The best batter in the side, Laura Wolvaardt, who also captains the team, has not touched the peak of her powers yet. Star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been solid but hasn’t single-handedly swayed a match either, which is something the Proteas have come to expect from her.

Instead, the Proteas have largely relied on contributions with the willow from Suné Luus, Tazmin Brits and De Klerk. Tryon has been brilliant with bat and ball, and Nonkululeko Mlaba has been the pick of a brilliant set of spin bowlers at the tournament.

But the game has evolved into one where there can be no overreliance on one or two players to win matches. Instead, it’s the whole squad who contribute, and logic dictates that the team who have the most players capable of winning matches will win the tournament. That includes the No 8 batter being capable of smashing the ball around the park when the match looks lost. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.