CAPE TOWN: South African openers Laur Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits struck magnificent half-centuries earlier than bowlers led the home aspect to edge England and into the ultimate of the continuing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
Set to chase 165, England fell 5 runs quick because the aspect completed at 158/eight of their allotted 20 overs with none of their batters might rating large within the semi-final.
England had been off to a flying begin within the run chase as openers Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley stitched an impressive 53-run partnership.
Ayabonga Khaka then dented England’s pursuit with twin strikes together with Dunkley’s wicket within the sixth over and introduced South Africa again into the sport. Dunkley scored a brisk 28 off 16 deliveries.
Wyatt then stitched an important partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt and added 32 runs for the third wicket earlier than Khaka struck once more to see the tip of Wyatt’s knock. She scored 34 off 30 deliveries.
Following Wyatt’s dismissal, skipper Heather Knight joined Nat Sciver-Brunt within the center and tried to anchor the run chase with a short 27-run partnership earlier than the latter perished within the 17th over.
Nat Sciver-Brunt remained the top-scorer for England with 40 off 34 deliveries, hitting 5 boundaries.
Following her dismissal, England ran right into a irritating collapse that ultimately resulted in them falling a mere 5 runs wanting the glory.
Khaka led the bowling assault for South Africa with 4/29 whereas Shabnim Ismail returned with 3/27.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa piled 164/Four behind good half-centuries by their openers Wolvaardt and Britz.
The duo scripted a stable begin for his or her aspect as they scored 96 runs for the primary wicket earlier than Wolvaardt perished briefly after amassing her half-century. She scored 53 off 44 deliveries, smashing 5 boundaries and a six.
Britz then partnered with Marizanne Kapp and took South Africa to 142 inside 18 overs earlier than lastly falling sufferer to Lauren Bell. She top-scored for the Proteas ladies with 68 off 55 deliveries and struck six boundaries and two sixes.
Her dismissal triggered a late collapse within the South African batting lineup because the aspect slipped to 145/Four within the 19th over.
Kapp, nevertheless, stood her floor agency and guided South Africa to a defendable complete with an unbeaten 27-run knock off simply 13 deliveries.
Sophie Ecclestone led the bowling assault for England with 3/22 whereas Bell made one scalp.
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