England made it two wins from two group games at the Women’s T20 World Cup. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight celebrate after winning the match in Sharjah. — Reuters
England continued where they left off in their first group match at the Women’s T20 World Cup as they dismantled South Africa in Sharjah on Monday winning by seven wickets with four balls to spare.
Sciver-Brunt joined r, England was 50-2 after the ninth over when Sciver-Brunt walked in to bat to make the tournament total 124-6.
Partnering with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, she put on 64 for the third wicket before the latter, who scored 41 in England’s opening victory against Bangladesh, was stumped Mlaba after she stepped out of the crease.
After that to ensure England secured the victory Sciver-Brunt focused on hammering Ayabonga Khaka through the covers. Her 48 was made of 36 balls and six of those were fours.
Chasing
Chasing a target was controlled beautifully, that partnership was just a delight to watch: England captain Heather Knight.
It shows that the way they controlled it, the way they ran, it was almost a proper job.
It was a small revenge for the English, who dominate Group B with two wins, over the South Africans, who stunned them in the semi final of the previous tournament at Newlands in Capetown.
Player of the Match was awarded to England spinner Sophie Ecclestone after her silent destroyer 4 overs showing 2-15 which kept South Africa to 124-6.
‘Sophie was back to her best,’ Knight said. One day she seemed to get a little bit of life, which I found a bit surprising given the nature of this wicket.
The key batters in the South Africa line up were the two victims for Ecclestone’s two victims as the bowler bowled skipper Laura Wolvaardt who reeled in a brisk 42 and the dangerous Marizanne Kapp who made 26 from 17 balls.
“It is always nice to do it against the world’s best.” So Two big wickets to get them out. Ecclestone said he was glad about the win. Dubai will host Bangladesh, who play South Africa on Saturday, and also Scotland, who lost to Australia in the 2023 final, on Wednesday. “That obviously means the next two are must win games for us and both may be tough in these conditions, so we will have to be on our A game,” said South Africa captain Wolvaardt.
Sunday sees England play the Scots in Sharjah.
Scores in brief
England v South Africa, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Laura Wolvaardt 42, Marizanne Kapp 26; Sophie Ecclestone 2-15, Sarah Glenn 1-18
Nat Sciver-Brunt remained not out on 48, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge made 43 as England made 125 for 3 in 19.2 overs off Marizanne Kapp 1 for 17 and Nonkululeko Mlaba 1 for 22.
Result: England win by seven wickets
