Razeen Gutta
After sweeping the women’s ODI series over the Momentum Proteas, England continued their good form in the first of three T20s in Chelmsford this evening.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the hosts got off to a flyer with Katherine Brunt dismissing Lara Goodall in the first over before picking up captain Sune Luus two overs later.
Anneke Bosch got to 18 off 21 deliveries before falling to Sarah Glenn; and Laura Wolvaardt made a half century at a strike rate of just over 100 in an attempt to steady the sinking ship.
Bosch and Wolvaardt were the only two batters to get into double figures for South Africa, though, with the rest of the order crumbling to England’s bowling attack.
Sophie Ecclestone picked up Chloe Tyron and Sinalo Jafta while Brunt got Wolvaardt and Delmi Tucker to complete her four-wicket haul and become the pick of the bowlers on the night.
The Proteas managed to reach just 111/9 in their 20 overs, a target which England’s batters were more than happy to see on the scorecard.
Ayabonga Khaka bowled out Danni Wyatt early, however Sophia Dunkley was aggressive at the top of the England order — smashing 59 off 39 deliveries with five fours and three sixes to take the game away from the visitors.
Khaka got Bryony Smith and Natalie Sciver as well to record a commendable three-wicket haul, however captain Heather Knight (24 off 18) played a good cameo in the middle order to take the hosts home with five overs to spare.
England’s six wicket win leaves South Africa with work to be done ahead of a must-win second T20 in Worcester on Saturday.
