CAPE TOWN – South Africa women skipper Dane van Niekerk Van has become the first bowler – male or female – to take four wickets without conceding a single run in limited overs cricket.
Van Niekerk, 24, set the unique cricket record following her side’s convincing win in the ICC Women’s World Cup against the West Indies on Sunday.
She finished with figures of 4/0 in 3.2 overs as the Proteas bundled the Caribbean side out for a paltry 48 in 25.2 overs.
“I can’t tell you what happened there,” Van Niekerk told reporters after their 10-wicket victory.
“I’d be lying if I said I bowled to a plan, all I was saying to myself was ‘don’t bowl a full-toss’ and I think they (West Indies) just missed the balls.”
Outstanding – @danevn81 and @kappie777 today achieved the two best bowling figures for @OfficialCSA at the Women’s World Cup! #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/O7QHBUV2En
— ICC (@ICC) July 2, 2017
Bowling figures of 3/0 have been achieved twice in women’s ODIs – once in women’s T20Is and once in men’s internationals.
Australian spinner Richie Benaud took 3/0 against India in a Test match in 1959.
Niekerk is also the youngest captain to take a four-wicket haul in a Women’s World Cup match and it is the best bowling return by a captain in a Women’s World Cup.
The Proteas next face the hosts, England, on Wednesday, July 5.
