England put up an all-round show to outplay South Africa by seven wickets for their second successive win in the Women's T20 World Cup on Monday. (Match Blog | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
England's four-pronged spin attack led by Sophie ꦆEcclestone (2/15) strangulated South Africa in the death overs to restrict them to 12ꦦ4/6 after they opted to bat on a tricky wicket.
In reply, England lost two wickets inside nine overs, but thereafter opener Danni Wyatt🌌-Hodge (43 off 43) and Nat Sciver-Br♚unt (48 not out from 36b; 6x4) took complete control of the chase, romping home with four balls to spare.
The duo put together a match-winning 64-run partnership tౠhat came off just 55 balls. Danni got stumped against the run of play. But by then the equation had boiled down to 11 from 12 balls, and Sciver-Brunt sealed it in the final over smashing Ayabonga Khaka 🌳for a boundary through extra cover.
Following a sedate 💜start, South Africa lost four wickets in the last four overs and managed just 39 runs.
South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt looked resolute but it was Ecclestone who triggered the𓃲 collapse dismissing the skipper eight runs short ♐of her fifty.
Leg-spinner ไSarah Glenn brilliantly complemented Ecclestone, conceding just 1/18 from her four overs.
Brief Scores
South Africa 124/6; 20 overs (Laura Wo♚lvaardt 42, Annerie Dercksen 20 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 2/15, Sarah Glenn 1/18) lost to England 125/3; 19.2 ♔overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 43, Nat Sciver-Brunt 48 not out) by seven wickets.
