By Levy Masiteng
South Africa’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign ended in the semi-finals after England recovered from an early collapse to claim a 40-run victory at The Oval in London on Thursday.
Chasing 170 for a place in Sunday’s final against Australia at Lord’s, the Proteas Women were restricted to 129/8 after England posted 169/5 from their 20 overs.
South Africa had given themselves an ideal start after reducing the hosts to 23/3, with Shabnim Ismail removing Amy Jones and Alice Capsey, while Marizanne Kapp bowled Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
But England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, returning from injury, and Heather Knight turned the innings around with a match-defining 133-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Sciver-Brunt top-scored with 75 off 47 balls and was named Player of the Match, while Knight made 58 off 47 to steer England to a competitive total after the early damage.
Ismail finished with 2/31, while Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2/25, including the wickets of Sciver-Brunt and Knight in the 19th over.
South Africa’s chase was held together by Tazmin Brits, who made a determined 51 off 45 balls before falling to Charlie Dean at a crucial stage of the innings.
England’s disciplined attack, led by Lauren Bell with 2/28 and Dean with 2/31, kept South Africa under pressure and ensured the hosts booked their place in the final.
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt said South Africa had been outplayed.
“I’m very disappointed. It was just not meant to be for us today,” Wolvaardt said after the match. “We were outplayed by a really good England side.”
She said South Africa’s batting had not fired consistently enough during the tournament.
“On reflection, our batting never fired,” Wolvaardt said.
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