Centurion Rodrigues, all-round Deepti take India into tri-series final

India Women posted their highest score against South Africa - 337 for 9-and their fifth-highest total in all ODIs to seal their spot in the Sri Lanka Tri-Series final on Sunday, where they will play the hosts. In response, South Africa batted bravely to score their second-highest total batting second, but were still knocked out of the tournament.

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That means South Africa's match on Friday against Sri Lanka will be a dead rubber. But more concerning for South Africa is that they have won only one of their last ten ODIs. Exactly the opposite statistic applies to India, who have lost only one of their last ten games, and controlled proceedings for almost all of their match against South Africa on Wednesday, even if the margin victory suggests otherwise.

Jemimah Rodrigues scored her second ODI century, and the third-fastest for India in women's ODIs, off 89 balls, to anchor their batting effort. After the loss of three wickets in the powerplay, Rodrigues shared an 88-run stand with Smriti Mandhana, and then a 122-run partnership with Deepti Sharma, which allowed India to score the most number of runs after the fall of the third wicket in an ODI innings.

Rodrigues' innings epitomised India's dominance, with the right balance of timing and aggression. She drove, swept and reverse swept well against a South Africa attack that seemed out of bite and ideas. They were without regular captain Laura Wolvaardt, who was ruled out of the game with illness, and stand-in skipper Chloe Tryon used eight bowlers, including herself. Only Tryon and Sune Luus, who bowled three overs, conceded at less than six runs an over, while premier left-arm spinner Nonkululekho Mlaba gave away 71 runs in her eight overs.

South Africa had moments in charge, and started well with the ball when Nadine de Klerk had Pratika Rawal caught at backward point. While Rawal reached out for a full ball, Masabata Klaas bowled Harleen Deol with a delivery that jagged back in and beat her defence. India were 17 for 2 in the third over but did not struggle to rebuild.