Wyatt-Hodge, Sciver-Brunt put Proteas Women to the sword
England batters Dani Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt capitalised on poor bowling and fielding from the Proteas Women to power their side to a massive score of 204-4 batting first in the second Women’s T20 International at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Wednesday evening.
Wyatt-Hodge hammered 15 fours and a six on her way to 75 off 45 balls, while Sciver-Brunt cracked nine fours and a six in an unbeaten 67 off 43 to get their side to an extremely daunting total.
The Proteas largely had themselves to blame for a terrible bowling performance, which was exacerbated by poor fielding with Wyatt-Hodge dropped on nine and 29, and Sciver-Brunt dropped on 25.
At the start of play the Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl, which looked to be the correct call after they got off to a good start.
In the second over Ayanda Hlubi, having been hit for back-to-back boundaries by Maia Bouchier (9), had her caught by Tazmin Brits at mid-wicket, and then bowled new batter Sophia Dunkley off an inside edge for a second-ball duck to reduce them to 15-2.
But that was basically as good as it got for the Proteas as Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt combined for a 112-run third-wicket partnership.
However, Wyatt-Hodge should have been gone at the end of the third over after getting a thick edge to a ball from Nadine de Klerk, but keeper Sinalo Jafta, who put in the dive and got a good glove to it, shelled the chance.
Having reached the end of the powerplay on 48-2, Wyatt-Hodge received her second lifeline at the start of the seventh over, top edging Annerie Dercksen to deep third where Nonkululeko Mlaba let the ball go through her hands.
That allowed her to kick on and she cruised to her half century in style in the next over, launching a Mlaba full toss back over her head for six, and powering a four through the covers.
At the start of the 11th over England brought up the 100, followed by Sciver-Brunt top edging Mlaba to short fine leg where Hlubi dropped her as things went from bad to worse.
Wyatt-Hodge finally fell in the 13th over, bowled by De Klerk, but the carnage continued as captain Heather Knight, 26 off 19 (3x4), and Sciver-Brunt combined for a 54-run stand.
Sciver-Brunt brought up her fifty in the 16th over with back-to-back fours off Eliz-Mari Marx, while Knight fell at the start of the 19th, popping a return catch to bowler De Klerk, but that didn’t phase England as they finished strong.
The @ProteasWomenCSA need 205 to level the T20I series 🎯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) November 27, 2024
📺 Stream #SAvENG on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw #HereForHer | #SummerOfCricket pic.twitter.com/n7Q6Qv0LAF
SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Faye Tunnicliffe, Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nondumiso Shangase, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi
ENGLAND: Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Maia Bouchier, Sohpia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Filer
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