Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped England negotiate a probably difficult chase as they defeated South Africa by seven wickets to make it two from two on the Ladies’s T20 World Cup.
South Africa’s 124 for six was the very best complete at Sharjah on this event however a 64-run stand in 55 balls between opener Wyatt-Hodge and talismanic all-rounder Sciver-Brunt broke the again of the pursuit.
Whereas Wyatt-Hodge departed for a run-a-ball 43 with 11 wanted from the final two overs, Sciver-Brunt bought them over the road with 4 deliveries to spare, creaming her sixth 4 to seal England’s victory.
Sciver-Brunt completed on 48 not out off 36 balls on one other gradual and low floor as England backed up their campaign-opening win over Bangladesh by avenging final 12 months’s semi-final defeat by South Africa.
Match Motion
England, who additionally misplaced to the Proteas on the 2020 version, have been grateful for his or her opponents’ profligacy within the discipline, whereas a number of pictures from Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt bounced protected.
England put down 4 probabilities – all of them troublesome – however Sophie Ecclestone took two for 15 and Sarah Glenn one for 15, with South Africa unable to place their foot down as they grew to become slowed down by spin.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits each registered unbeaten fifties of their 10-wicket thrashing of the West Indies and the openers loved slices of fortune early on.
Heather Knight and Glenn put down diving probabilities to reprieve Brits, whose luck ran out when she charged Linsey Smith, whereas Wolvaardt edged Ecclestone however Amy Jones, as much as the stumps, couldn’t cling on.
Wolvaardt underpinned South Africa’s innings with 42 off 39 balls however in making an attempt to inject some urgency into proceedings, she misplaced her form to Ecclestone and was clear bowled.
Marizanne Kapp had higher luck with 26 off 17 balls however was castled by Ecclestone as South Africa saved being pegged again however Annerie Dercksen’s 20 not out off 11 deliveries helped them end nicely.
England’s Reply
England had made simply 118 towards Bangladesh on the identical venue 48 hours earlier and though situations did appear as troublesome on Monday, they discovered themselves 15 for one after 5 overs in reply.
Alice Capsey was dropped on nought however bought England going with 19 off 16 balls, sweeping and utilizing her ft nicely to the spinners to take three fours, earlier than tamely chipping again Nadine de Klerk.
Wyatt-Hodge, who made 41 towards Bangladesh, was dropped on eight and he or she and Sciver-Brunt rode their luck occasionally as a number of probabilities from each batters bounced in entrance of fielders or in vacant areas.
However the pair’s onerous operating between the wickets and the odd boundary, with Sciver-Brunt particularly even handed on the entrance foot, carried England to within reach of victory.
Wyatt-Hodge was stumped after advancing and getting in a tangle to Nonkululeko Mlaba however with Sciver-Brunt on the crease, England have been by no means in bother. She bought England residence with a luxurious cowl drive.
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