England v South Africa, Match Centre and Scorecard
In a repeat of the 2023 semi-final, England got their revenge with an all-round team display to chase down 125 with four balls remaining.
England’s spin quartet got the first innings back under control after a fast start by the Proteas, inspired by Laura Wolvaardt’s outstanding 42 from 39 balls, and held the total to 124/6, with Sophie Ecclestone standing out with 2/15.
And the English top order did the job with the bat, as Danni Wyatt-Hodge (43) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (48*) played the key roles in wrapping up England’s win.
WATCH: Sciver-Brunt seals win in style
Tasked with chasing down 125, England got off to an inauspicious start as Maia Bouchier struggled for fluency in the powerplay, with the metronomic Marizanne Kapp getting rewards for a superb early spell when she trapped the opener in-front for 8 (20).
But England counter-attacked through Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey, getting back in control of the chase on a tricky surface.
WATCH: Wyatt-Hodge leads the way
Wyatt-Hodges leads the way as England on the go | WT20WC 2024
A soft caught and bowled by Nadine de Klerk did for Capsey, but Nat Sciver-Brunt joined Wyatt-Hodge out in the middle and the pair took England took the brink of victory before the latter was stumped off Nonkululeko Mlaba for a run-a-ball 43.
WATCH: Nat Sciver-Brunt unleashes a flurry of fours in the middle overs
Nat Sciver-Brunt unleashes a flurry of fours to guide England | WT20WC 2024
And it was left to the stylish Sciver-Brunt to finish off the job, hitting the winning runs to the boundary off the second ball of the final over to end unbeaten on 48* from 36 deliveries.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first, as two of the best teams at the T20 World Cup faced off in Sharjah.
And Proteas captain Wolvaardt inspired an impressive powerplay, taking on England’s spin-heavy bowling attack right from the off.
WATCH: Skipper Wolvaardt opens arms with a four
Skipper Wolvaardt opens arms with a four | WT20WC 2024
Tazmin Brits looked to join in the fun and was caught on the rope for 13 (from 19 balls), but South Africa’s platform of 37/1 in the first six overs left them well-placed to build a big score.
Catches went down with disappointing frequency for England, but the scoring rate slowed dramatically through the middle overs as their bowling attack hauled the innings back under control.
Anneke Bosch struggled to get going before being bowled by Sarah Glenn form 18 (26), and Wolvaardt’s inspired effort came to an abrupt end when she was cleaned by Sophie Ecclestone for 42 (39).
WATCH: Ecclestone castles Wolvaardt to lift England further
South Africa were still eyeing a big total, but the dangerous Chloe Tryon was removed by Charlie Dean, and Ecclestone stepped up to deny Marizanne Kapp a chance to extend her fiery knock of 26 from 17.
There was some late drama when Nat Sciver-Brunt ran out Sune Luus in extraordinary fashion, turning the ball onto the stumps with an unintentional but silky flick with the outside of her foot.
And South Africa closed on 124/6, setting up a fascinating second innings in Sharjah.
The result puts England in the driving seat in Group B with two wins from two, while South Africa will still have hopes of joining their opponents in the knockout stages.
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