Twitter Reactions: Dane van Niekerk leads Oval Invincibles to resounding win over Birmingham Phoenix

In their second and third match of the Women’s Hundred, Oval Invincibles botched their run-chases. Dane van Niekerk was on the firing line in both games. However, the team managed to turn its fortunes against Birmingham Phoenix on Wednesday, August 4 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. They won the match by eight wickets and stayed in the third position in the points table.

Erin Burns guides the Phoenix

After electing to bat first, the Phoenix strained a wee bit, put a formidable score of 129 on the board. Evelyn Jones perished for a duck, but Shafali Verma’s run-a-ball 16 got their innings going. Katie Mack looked promising, scoring 14 with three fours before Tash Farrant dismissed her. Amy Jones didn’t have the outing she would have wanted to have as Van Niekerk got rid of her.

However, it was Erin Burns, who helped the Phoenix rack up the respectable score. She stepped on the gas and scored a 28-ball 45 with the help of seven fours. Isy Wong, Gwenen Davies and Kirstie Gordon scored 11 runs each lower down the order. For the Invincibles, fast bowler Farrant was the standout bowler as he got three wickets. The skipper accounted for a couple of scalps as well.

Van Niekerk shows her sheer class

The Invincibles stamped their authority in the run-chase right from the word go. Van Niekerk promoted herself to open the batting and the move worked wonders. She and Georgia Adams stitched together a partnership of 90 runs for the opening wicket off 64 balls. Their partnership had brought the required run rate to nearly at a run-a-ball, putting them in sheer command.

Gordon gave the Phoenix their first wicket, but not before Adams scored 42 off 30 with five fours and one six. Gordon got rid of Fran Wilson as well. During the fag end of their chase, the Invincibles strained a bit, but van Niekerk held her nerves. She stayed unbeaten on 67 off 51 balls with eight fours and one six. She scored 15 runs in the penultimate set of five to set up the win for her team.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Oval Invincibles’ win at the Edgbaston:

Dane van Niekerk's 67*(51) propels Oval Invincibles Women to a comfortable victory.#Cricket #TheHundred #BRMWvOLVW #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/nuBpNoycsn

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) August 4, 2021

At the 2017 World Cup, Dane van Niekerk took four wickets for no runs, Marizanne Kapp got player of the match.

Today van Niekerk took two for 16 and scored 67 not out. Tash Farrant was the Match hero.

What does van Niekerk have to do to win a player of the match award?

— Jamie Ramage (@famousstrauss) August 4, 2021

Surprised at the hundred hero of the match in the women's game Phoenix v Invincibles. Dane Van Niekerk 2 for 20 and a knock of 67 not out! Given to her team mate for 3 wickets and nothing with the bat!

— Brian Perren (@brianjp13) August 4, 2021

South African and Oval Invincibles captain Dane van Niekerk says Alice Capsey has a bright future ahead of her for England. 16-year-old seriously impressing with bat and ball so far in #TheHundred

— Kalika (@Journo_K) August 4, 2021

Dane van Niekerk is a bloody good cricketer isn't she? #TheHundred

— Nick (@n1_ckl) August 4, 2021

Dané van Niekerk has it all. What a player🔥

— becks. (@elbeckio) August 4, 2021

I really love watching Dané van Niekerk bat. She is just so good #HundredCricket

— Ronnie T (@Ronittie) August 4, 2021

Oh well, the target was just about par. Not a great campaign so far for Phoenix women. It's okay, we'll be back. Well batted, Dane van Niekerk. #TheHundred

— Kunal Tolani🏏 (@Kunal_jt) August 4, 2021