Proteas Women X
A commanding performance by England, featuring leading figures of four for 20 from spinner Sarah Glenn and half-centuries from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt, secured a series-clinching 36-run victory over the Proteas Women in the second T20 International (T20I) on Wednesday evening in Benoni.
England set the tone at Willowmoore Park with an imposing total of 204/4, powered by Wyatt-Hodge’s scintillating 78 off 45 balls (15 fours, 1 six) and Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 67 off 43 deliveries (9 fours, 1 six). Glenn then spearheaded the visitors’ bowling attack to restrict South Africa to 168/6, sealing the win.
After opting to bowl first, South Africa struck early through Ayanda Hlubi (2/19), who claimed two wickets in her first over. Hlubi removed Maia Bouchier (9) and Sophia Dunkley (0) in quick succession, reducing England to 15/2 by the second over.
England’s experienced duo of Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship, steering their team to 48/2 at the end of the powerplay. Wyatt-Hodge went on to register her 17th T20I half-century, while Sciver-Brunt played the perfect supporting role as the pair built a formidable 112-run partnership.
South Africa found a breakthrough in the 13th over when Nadine de Klerk (2/36) dismissed Wyatt-Hodge, but Sciver-Brunt continued to dominate, reaching her second consecutive fifty of the series. Together with Heather Knight (26), Sciver-Brunt added 54 runs for the fourth wicket, pushing England to 181/3 before Knight fell to de Klerk.
Late contributions from Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones (15*) propelled England to an imposing 204/4 in their 20 overs.
Chasing a daunting target of 205, South Africa faced immediate pressure as Tazmin Brits fell without scoring in the first over, dismissed by Sciver-Brunt (1/32). Laura Wolvaardt (25) and Faye Tunnicliffe (22) offered some resistance, taking the Proteas to 30/1 after six overs.
However, England’s bowlers struck back, with Glenn and Charlie Dean (1/27) removing Tunnicliffe and Wolvaardt to leave South Africa at 66/3 in the 10th over.
Annerie Dercksen (24) injected some momentum into the chase with a quick-fire knock, including two fours and two sixes, but Glenn’s brilliance with the ball derailed the home side’s progress. Glenn dismissed Dercksen and Nondumiso Shangase (0) in consecutive deliveries, reducing South Africa to 86/5 in the 12th over.
Chloé Tryon (30) and de Klerk (32*) combined for a 43-run partnership, offering a glimmer of hope. However, Glenn claimed her fourth wicket by dismissing Tryon, leaving the Proteas with too much to do. Late cameos from de Klerk and Sinalo Jafta (17*) helped South Africa finish on 168/6, 36 runs short of the target.
The third and final T20I will take place on Saturday, 30 November, at SuperSport Park in Centurion, starting at 18h00.
(Source: CSA)
