England vs South Africa: LIVE Women’s T20 World Cup result and reaction after Heather Knight’s side secure victory
England beat South Africa in their second Women’s T20 World Cup group game in Sharjah
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England took another step towards the semi-finals at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a strong win over South Africa.
After an opening win over Bangladesh on a slow surface, England’s spin quartet again made good use of a turning pitch in Sharjah as they strangled the South Africa batters. Sophie Ecclestone led the way with figures of 2/15 with Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn once more impressing in support roles, limiting South Africa to 124/6 despite late hitting from Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen.
It never looked likely to be enough, despite a sluggish outfield, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (43) ensured a solid platform was laid, eschewing her more expansive strokeplay to manage the chase well. The star turn with the bat came, though, fron Nat Sciver-Brunt, cruising to an unbeaten 48 to guide her side home to a second win from two games. England top Group B with games against Scotland and the West Indies to come.
Re-live all of the action from Sharjah in the blog below:
Is England v South Africa on TV today? Channel, start time and how to watch T20 World Cup game online
England will look to build on an encouraging start to the Women’s T20 World Cup as they face a tricky test against South Africa.
The spinners were, predictably, to the fore in England’s opener against Bangladesh, with Linsey Smith excelling.
South Africa should provide a sterner test of Heather Knight’s side having beaten them at the semi-final stage on home soil at the last edition of this tournament.
A classy half-century from Laura Wolvaardt carried South Africa to a ten-wicket victory over the West Indies in their first game in the United Arab Emirates.
Toss - South Africa will bat first
Wolvaardt said at the toss: “We are batting first because the pitch looks slow and we are hoping to get a total and then defend it.
“It was nice to start with a win in our first group game but this is a big game because the chance to go 2-0 in the competition gets us in a good position.
“What would we like to improve? We were pretty good in our first game without being perfect in all areas so it’s about trying to improve them.”
Toss - South Africa will bat first
South Africa win the toss and choose to bat first as Laura Wolvaardt calls tails and makes the right decision.
This could be a poor toss to lose for Heather Knight, three out of four matches at this tournament have been won by the side batting first.
Heather Knight prepared for T20 World Cup campaign to not be ‘sexy’
Skipper Heather Knight has warned that England Women’s T20 World Cup campaign may not always be “sexy” as they wrestle with the conditions in the United Arab Emirates.
Knight’s side launched their bid for glory with a 21-run Group B victory over Bangladesh on a tricky pitch in Sharjah, where the slow outfield compounded the problems for batters.
England were restricted to 118 for seven having won the toss and elected to bat, but while Knight admitted there was room for improvement, she was happy with that total at the halfway stage.
She told Sky Sports: “It wasn’t far off par but I think if we push up to about 135, 140, that’s going to be a really good score if we get on that type of wicket again.
Heather Knight prepared for T20 World Cup campaign to not be ‘sexy’
Knight’s side launched their bid for glory with a 21-run Group B victory over Bangladesh.
England prepared ‘to take fight’ to South Africa in crucial World Cup clash
Cape Town will be on the minds of both teams when England take on South Africa at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – a year on from a dramatic semi-final.
On home soil last year, the Proteas women reached the final of the tournament for the very first time thanks to a six-run win over England at Newlands.
Now the teams meet again, this time in a Group B encounter, with both one win from one in the United Arab Emirates.
A second success would be a giant step towards qualification for the final four, and England are only too aware of how close it was last February.
England prepared ‘to take fight’ to South Africa in crucial World Cup clash
Heather Knight’s team take on the Proteas in a repeat of the Women’s T20 semi-fnal last year which they lost by six runs
England won their opening game against Bangladesh
Linsey Smith starred with the ball as England launched their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 21-run victory over Bangladesh.
Smith turned in figures of two for 11 from her four overs and played the significant role in the dangerous Nigar Sultana Joty’s run out as Heather Knight’s side limited the Bangladeshis to 97 for seven in the Group B showdown under the lights in Sharjah.
She and Charlie Dean each claimed two wickets to help successfully defend a target of 119 after Danni Wyatt-Hodge had scored 41 in a modest total of 118 for seven on a tricky pitch.
England won the toss and opted to bat, and opener Maia Bouchier enjoyed a reprieve when she was dropped by Rabeya Khan at point off the bowling of Marufa Akter on 16.
Spinner Linsey Smith impresses as England beat Bangladesh at T20 World Cup
Smith turned in figures of two for 11 from her four overs.
England vs South Africa
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live build up and coverage of England’s second match of the Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa in Sharjah.
Both sides won their opening match, and in the group not containing India and Australia, South Africa are likely to be England’s toughest test.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments