A second career half-century for Anneke Bosch was not enough as England claimed an unassailable 2-0 series lead over the Momentum Proteas thanks to a six-wicket victory in the second T20 International (T20I) at the Worcestershire County Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Bosch dispatched eight fours on her way to a 57-ball 61 in an opening century stand with Lara Goodall to help South Africa set up a competitive total of 148 for six before England’s stand-in skipper Nat Sciver and Danni Wyatt led the response with the bat to reach the target with six balls to spare.
South Africa lost the toss and were sent in to bat by the home side, with openers Goodall and Bosch getting off to a solid start to set the ideal platform for their side. After a measured approach in the powerplay, with the visitors on 34 without loss after six overs, the duo accelerated towards their 50-run stand for the first wicket.
With the pair now playing with increased confidence at the crease, Bosch brought up her second T20I half-century as her partnership with Goodall surpassed the 100-run mark before England made the breakthrough through Alice Capsey (1 / 10) to get rid of Goodall for 42 off 34 balls (five fours).
Bosch soon followed her opening partner back to the dugout after adding a further 18 runs alongside Laura Wolvaardt (21) to leave the Proteas Women on 120 for two within 17 overs. With wickets in hand and limited overs remaining, South Africa attempted to put their foot on the pedal but a fall of regular wickets slowed down the scoring rate with Wolvaardt, Chloé Tryon (1), Suné Luus (1) and Mignon du Preez (9) dismissed.
South Africa eventually ended on 148 for six after their allotted 20 overs, with Sarah Glenn (2-27), Sophie Ecclestone (1-21) and Katherine Brunt (1-24) also among the wicket-takers for the hosts.
In their chase, England made another flying start through Sophia Dunkley (23) as the top-order batter smashed three fours and one six before skying a Masabata Klaas (1-39) delivery in the third over.
With her opening partner having been removed, Wyatt assumed the role of the aggressor, alongside Bryony Smith (10) and then Sciver to continue the momentum for the hosts as they reached the 10th over on 80 for two before Wyatt was eventually caught brilliantly by Luus for 39 off 24 balls (6 fours).
Despite the loss of Wyatt, Sciver calmly continued to anchor the chase, having been joined by Amy Jones (20*) at the crease, as the pair put on 56 runs for the fourth wicket to take the English outfit to the brink of victory.
Although South Africa, through Klaas, picked up a late run out of Sciver for 47 off 41 balls (six fours), it proved to be too little too late as England reached their target after 19 overs to seal a six-wicket triumph and a series victory.
ENGLAND WOMEN: Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt, Natalie Sciver (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Bryony Smith, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Freya Davies
SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Anneke Bosch, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus (capt), Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka