Thanks to an all-round performance, England defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Monday. England’s four-pronged spin attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone (2/15), strangled South Africa in the last overs, limiting them to 124/6 after they chose to bat on a tough track. In response, England lost two wickets in nine overs, but openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge (43 off 43) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (48 not out off 36b; 6×4) took total control of the chase, finishing with four balls to spare.
The duo put together a match-winning 64-run partnership in only 55 balls. Danni was stumped against the run of play. But by then, the equation had been reduced to 11 from 12 balls, and Sciver-Brunt secured it in the penultimate over, smashing Ayabonga Khaka for a boundary past extra cover.
Following a slow start, South Africa lost four wickets in the final four overs and scored only 39 runs. South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt appeared strong, but it was Ecclestone who precipitated the collapse, dismissing her eight runs short of a fifty. Sarah Glenn, a legspinner, complimented Ecclestone superbly, giving only 1/18 in four overs.
South Africa 124/6; 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 42, Annerie Dercksen 20 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 2/15, Sarah Glenn 1/18) were defeated by England 125/3; 19.2 overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 43, Nat Sciver-Brunt 48 not out) by seven wickets.