ENG vs SA Women’s T20 WC: Fifties from Wolvaardt, Brits & Marizanne Kapp’s cameo takes hosts to 164

New Delhi: After the fifties from Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp’s quickfire 27 off 13 helped South Africa to post 164/4 on the board in the second semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. In-form Sophie Ecclestone showed her magic again as she not only broke the 96-run opening stand but also picked two wickets in the 19th over.

Katherine Sciver-Brunt started well with the ball, but Wolvaardt and Brits batted their way through the initial overs to, roughly, hit a boundary per over thereafter. They laid a 96-run partnership where Wolvaardt accelerated first and scored 53 off 44. After Eccelstone got her wicket off a soft dismissal, it was Brits’ chance to change the gears and she launched huge rockets over the boundary rope. She ended up scoring 68 off 55.

The foundation was laid for South Africa to touch 170 and follow Australia on the path of reaching the finals, but the 19th over came as a twist to the tale. Ecclestone continuing with her golden arm, first got Chloe Tryon as she handed a catch to Nat Sciver-Brunt on midwicket and then bowled Nadine de Klerk.

Katherine bowling in a great fashion was handed the 20th over where it was a Marizanne show. A boundary on a no-ball and two consecutive fours to end the inning gave South Africa some extra runs, which England would not have expected after the last over.

With the likes of Wyatt and Dunkley opening the inning, followed by the top-scorer of the tournament Nat Sciver-Brunt, England looks in the position to chase down the score. The Proteas will need a magical spell from Shabnim Ismail and in-form Kapp and Mlaba to pick wickets.

The winning team will join Australia in the finals on February 26, Sunday.