England put Proteas away to advance to final

By Razeen Gutta

England booked a blockbuster ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final against Australia after beating South Africa by 40 runs in Thursday’s semi-final at The Oval.

In front of over 21 000 fans under clear skies, the Proteas won the toss and struck early.

Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail tore through England’s top order, reducing the hosts to 23-3 inside the powerplay.

Ismail took her 50th T20 World Cup wicket when Amy Jones fell first ball, before Kapp bowled Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ismail trapped Alice Capsey lbw.

From crisis came class.

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight rebuilt with a match-turning 133-run stand off 90 balls.

Sciver-Brunt, returning from a calf injury, smashed 75 from 47 with 11 fours and a six — her record-equalling eighth World Cup fifty.

Knight made 58 off 47 before both fell to Nonkululeko Mlaba, 2-25, in the 19th over.

Ayabonga Khaka’s tight final over held England to 169-5.

South Africa’s chase started brightly at 43-0, but collapsed after Laura Wolvaardt’s 17.

Tazmin Brits fought with 51, yet England’s attack squeezed. On a slowing pitch, Sophie Ecclestone, 1-21, Freya Kemp, 1-11, and England’s seamers used cutters and control to force errors.

The Proteas finished on 129-8.

England will take on Australia at 16:30 on Sunday.

Pictured above: England

Source: @englandcricket