Proteas Women show late resistance but go down to Australia in one-off Test

The Proteas were still trailing by 432 runs at the start of the third day, but Tryon (64) and debutant Delmi Tucker (64) produced maiden Test half-centuries as the stand-out performances for the tourists before they were bowled out for 215 in 97.2 overs to confirm the result.

Annabel Sutherland (2/11) and Ashleigh Gardner (2/29) were the leading bowlers for the home side on the day as they completed a treble of series victories across all formats.

Commencing play on 67/3, the debutant duo of Tucker and Tazmin Brits (31) continued where they left off in their gritty display at the crease as the two middle-order batters advanced their half-century stand to a 96-run partnership before the latter was the first wicket to fall just before lunch.

Tucker was joined at the crease by Tryon with the former going on to get her first ever international half-century, as the Proteas reached the lunch break on 140/4.

Australia made a crucial breakthrough just after the interval with spinner Gardner dismissing Tucker to end her resilient innings that lasted for 181 balls. 

With the fifth-wicket stand broken, home side quickly claimed two more scalps, sending Nadine de Klerk (0) and Sinalo Jafta (9) back to the pavilion, leaving the visitors at 181/7 in the 84th over.

Although wickets began to fall around her, Tryon showcased her experience to raise her bat for a maiden Test fifty, partnering up with a free-spirited Nonkululeko Mlaba (15) for a 32-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Although the Proteas extended their stay on the field on the third day, young all-rounder Sutherland initiated the end for the touring outfit, dismissing both Tryon and Mlaba in quick succession. 

Spinner Alana King (1/15) then sealed the emphatic victory for Australia with the final wicket, a caught and bowled to dismiss Ayanda Hlubi for a duck, securing a commanding win with a day to spare.

After her record-breaking 210 off 256 balls and returns of 3/19 and 2/11, Sutherland received the player of the match award while batter Beth Mooney earned the player of the series accolade for her consistent performances in all three formats, amassing a total of 379 runs inthe multi-format series.

For the Proteas, special recognition goes to seamer Masabata Klaas for her 14 wickets across all formats while experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp showcased her abilities with bat and ball, finishing with 6 wickets and 221 runs, including three half-centuries.

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