South Africa has reached their first-ever cricket World Cup final, men’s or women’s, after beating England by six runs in a thrilling semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town.
England were favourites coming into the game, having won all four of their group matches convincingly, while also sweeping the Proteas 3-0 in both the one-day international and T20 series in England last year.
Game summary
South Africa set an imposing target of 164-5, and England needed 165 to win. The visitors were cruising at 132-3 before a collapse of five wickets for 26 runs in 22 balls.
With 13 runs needed from the final over, Shabnim Ismail bowled England captain Heather Knight for 31 and sealed a thrilling victory in front of a packed Cape Town crowd. The Proteas will face defending champions Australia in the final at Newlands on Sunday.
Favourites falter in the field
England squandered a positive start as openers Laura Wolvaardt and Brits added 96 for the first wicket. The Proteas opening pair scored freely and took the attack to a bowling unit that was used to tying teams in knots.
As South Africa moved past 120-1 in the 16th over, England became increasingly ragged, under pressure for the first time in the tournament after an unbeaten four-match run, as misfields and impatience crept in.
After Lauren Bell removed the superb Tamzin Brits for 68 off 55 balls, Sophie Ecclestone firmly dragged England back into contention with two wickets in the penultimate over as she claimed an impressive 3-22.
A visibly frustrated Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who had shouted at team-mates who made mistakes in the field, then conceded 18 off the final over, and it proved decisive. By contrast, South Africa held their nerve impressively – Ismail claiming 3-27 and Ayabonga Khaka taking 4-29, including three in the 18th over. Fifth bowler Nadine de Klerk got the key wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt in an economic spell of 1-17.
Reaction to the defeat
England captain Heather Knight said, “I’m obviously gutted, but first of all, what a brilliant game of cricket. South Africa had a very good plan with their bowling, and we probably conceded too many runs. But this game doesn’t define us as a group. There is a huge amount of talent. We will come back stronger.”
South Africa captain Sune Luus said, “It is massive. Every game we play, we keep making history. I hope this is a turning point not just for women’s cricket in South Africa but women’s sport in general.”
Former England spinner Alex Hartley said, “England are entertaining and have unbelievable talent. The youth that are coming through stands out for me. They are going to be such a talented group of cricketers in a few years.”
