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Proteas Women shock England to set up final against Australia

football24 February 2023 16:26| © MWP
By:David Knowles
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In a thrilling semifinal at Newlands, the Momentum Proteas South African women’s cricketers defeated England by six runs to qualify for Sunday’s final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Australia, at the same venue and create history in being the first SA side to reach a World Cup T20 final.

 

Needing 165 to win, England finished on 158/8, losing 5-26 in the final overs, including three in Ayabonga Khaka’s final over, the 18th of the innings, as she finished with her T20 World Cup best of 4-29.

England were well ahead of the run rate, posting 55/2 in the powerplay and bringing up the 100 in 12.3 overs.

Danni Wyatt (34) and Sophia Dunkley (28) got starts at the top of the order and after the loss of Alice Capsey (0), Nat Sciver-Brunt (40) and skipper Heather Knight (31) looked to have matters under control.

However, Khaka’s three strikes saw England wobbling, needing 25 from the last two overs.

It came down to 13 from the final six balls bowled by the experienced Shabnim Ismail.

She bowled Knight with the third ball to finish with 3027 in four overs, and with nine needed from the last ball, South Africa were home.

Nadine de Klerk’s medium pacers were impressive as she bagged 1/17 in her four overs and in the field, it was Tazmin Britz with four catches, including a one-handed dive at mid-wicket to get rid of Capsey that set the trend and had South Africa believing.

'THIS IS WHAT WE DREAM ABOUT'

Electing to bat, South Africa’s openers Britz (68) and Laura Wolvaardt (53), both notching successive fifties, opted for a cautious start in making 96 for the first wicket.

With Cloe Tryon (3) and De Klerk (0) going quickly, it was Marizanne Kapp with an undefeated 27 from 13 balls who gave the home side a competitive total.

An outstanding 97 runs from the last 10 overs had England rattled in the field for the first time in the tournament and it was spinner Sophie Eccelestone who produced the goods with the ball in getting 3-22 in four overs.

The only other success came from Lauren Bell (1-21) in three.

Britz was the player of the match for her efforts with the bat and taking four catches. “This is what we dream about and why we play the game,” she said.

“We discussed our game plan and said 140 was the minimum and we would be happy with 160 or more. I wrote it down to make sure we were on track.

Knight was gutted. “It was a brilliant game and the South African bowlers had a definite plan. We never came off today but we have some young talent to take us forward.”

Luus acknowledged her bowling attack, saying the game swung from side to side. “Our batters gave us the platform and our bowlers showed their class. We keep making history as a team and inspire a nation. We hope to continue with that.”

 

SA Women: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Suné Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululekho Mlaba

England Women: Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell

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