SOUTH AFRICA inflicted a 10-wicket defeat on the West Indies in its opening Women’s T20 World Cup match today.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt (59 not out) and Tazmin Brits (57 not out) struck unbeaten half centuries in South Africa’s strong chase of 119-0 after left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba had grabbed a career-best 4-29 and restricted the West Indies to 118-6.

West Indies tried eight bowlers but couldn’t separate the dominant South African pair as they eased to victory with 13 balls to spare while striking 13 boundaries in between them.

Spinner Karishma Ramharack came close to getting the breakthrough but couldn’t hold on to a sharp return catch when Wolvaardt was on 33 as South Africa won its opening game in Group B, which also includes first-timer Scotland, Bangladesh and England.

Earlier, Mlaba squeezed the West Indies in the middle overs after captain Hayley Matthews (10) left in disappointment when she feathered an easy catch behind the wicket while going for a drive against Marizanne Kapp in the third over.

Veteran Deandra Dottin lasted for 11 deliveries and scored 13 in her comeback game after two years out before she was caught by Wolvaardt at extra cover while trying to clear the circle against Kapp’s full-pitched delivery.

Mlaba then ran through the middle-order and was on a hat-trick when she dismissed Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry off successive deliveries as West Indies slipped to 6-83 in 15 overs.

Stafanie Taylor (44 not out) then added run-a-ball 35 runs with Zaida James (15), but Mlaba’s damage proved decisive to curtail the West Indies total.

India will take on New Zealand in the second match at the Dubai International Stadium, which is hosting the event along with Sharjah.