South Africa’s hopes of making it to the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 ended with another batting collapse, as England completed a seven-wicket win.
Choosing to bat in a must-win encounter at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia, on Friday, 16 November, Dane van Niekerk’s side struggled in the Powerplay overs, posting just 24/1. A run-out of van Niekerk, who was backing up at the non-striker’s end, off a straight shot was a sign of just how bad it would get for them.
Mignon du Preez and Chloe Tryon added vital runs, but with two wickets for Nat Sciver in the 18th and a hat-trick for Anya Shrubsole in the final over, South Africa were bowled out for 85 in 19.3 overs.
Sciver bowled 20 dot balls in her remarkable 3/4, while Shrubsole and Kirstie Gordon too caused the batters strife. The South African innings had a total of 74 deliveries where they didn’t score.
The low total put little pressure on the England openers. The introduction of spin caused a wobble, but it was a confident batting performance from them to chase down the target with plenty to spare.
The win took England to the top of the Group A table with five points from three games, with one more to play. South Africa, having lost two of their three, have no further chance of progressing.
