The last time South Africa hosted England for a three-match bilateral Women’s T20I series it was way back in February 2016. England are back on South Africa soil for an all-format series that includes a three-match T20I series followed by the ODI series and then a one-off Test match from 24th November 2024 to 15th December 2024.
Middle order shines as Proteas post a competitive total
The home side got off to a steady start with a 35-run opening stand between Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt after the England skipper Heather Knight won the toss and opted to field first. Charlie Dean picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Laura Wolvaardt to provide the first breakthrough for England.
South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually ended up with a competitive total of 142/5 in their quota of overs. The middle order contributed exactly 50% of the team’s total. Nadine de Klerk (29* off 16 balls), alongside Annerie Dercksen (26* off 29 balls), provided the finishing touches for the side, while Nondumiso Shangase (16 off 22), and skipper Laura Wolvaardt (22 off 19 balls) also chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for South Africa.
Charlie Dean (4-0-21-2), Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-18-1), Nat Sciver-Brunt (3-0-17-0), Sarah Glenn (3-0-23-1) and Freya Kemp (2-0-15-1) were the bowlers who managed to keep the lid on the scoring rate.
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones guide England to a comfortable victory
The England openers Maia Bouchier and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge got their side off to a positive start with a 29-run opening partnership, while chasing a tricky total of 143 runs. Nadine de Klerk picked up the wicket of Wyatt-Hodge to provide the first breakthrough for South Africa.
England suffered a mini collapse losing their next three wickets in quick succession. Nat Sciver-Brunt was joined by the wicket-keeper batter Amy Jones and the pair not only steadied the ship but also kept them on track in the run chase with a crucial 50-run 5th wicket partnership. Nondumiso Shangase broke their partnership to provide a crucial breakthrough for the home side.
However, it wasn’t enough as the visitors eventually got over the line with four wickets in hand and four balls to spare. Nat Sciver-Brunt (59* off 54 balls) completed a gritty half-century and wicket-keeper batter Amy Jones (31 off 19 balls), and Maia Bouchier (20 off 17 balls) were the players who played a crucial hand in a successful run chase for England.
Eliz-Mari Marx (3.2-0-19-3) returned her career-best figures with the ball, and Nadine de Klerk (4-0-20-2), Nondumiso Shangase (3-0-20-1), and Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-0-23-0) were the other key performers with the ball for the home side.
Nat Sciver-Brunt was awarded the Player of the Match for her crucial half-century (59 off 54 balls) in a tricky run chase to give the visitors, England, a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series.
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