Women’s CWC: England defeat South Africa after chasing 69-run target in 14.1 overs

COLOMBO: England Women chased downed a modest 69-run target that the South Africa’s women had posted during their first innings in the 4th One Day International clash of the Women’s World Cup (CWC) on Friday.

Earlier, England’s women bowlers built unstoppable momentum against their rivals, leading to a severe collapse of all the players in Laura Wolvaardt’s team.

England’s women batting-line

Women in blue were confident in the very beginning to chase down a modest 69-run target for no loss of any wickets as their bowler had already maintained a pressure to restrict Wolvaardt’s team to limited target.

The Nat Sciver-Brunt captained team’s top batter Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones were sent in the opening who had aimed at reaching the chase in early overs of the innings.

During their strike back at the crease, Tammy contributed 21 off 35 balls (studded with 3 fours), while Amy supported the opening for 40 runs off 50 deliveries (featuring 6 fours), nearing the finish to an 8 runs difference in 14 overs. Thanks to the 12 extras conceded by the south Africa’s blowers and the last boundary that enabled the England women to chase down the rivals’ target in the 14.1 overs.

South Africa’s batting-line

South Africa unexpectedly suffered in their first ODI clash of the Women’s CWC as they were in form following their latest victory (2-1) of the Pakistan One Day International series.

England bowlers played havoc with their balls as they downed all of the batters in 20.4 overs.

South Africa opened their batting with skipper Laura Wolvaardt and seasoned batter Tazmin Brits. Each of the two players had aimed for shinning contribution__ to remind the way they had played against Pakistan in Lahore ODIs last month. But today, they were unable make memories as the England bowlers not only destroyed the top batter but also claimed down the rest of the players.

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Both Wolvaardt and Brit were downed by the England’s star pacer Smith after allowing them only for 5 runs each. Yet another batter, Sune Luus, was also claimed down by Bell, who allowed her to jerk the team’s increase for only 2 runs.

There came in Mrizaane Kapp to establish a momentum, but she couldn’t do it as Smith came in again who was able to down Kapp after adding only 4 off 6 balls.

All the rest of the batters suffered the same way while attempting for a big total against England’s women. Anneke Bosch (6 off 5 balls), Chloe Tryon (2 off 10 deliveries), Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas (3 each off 11 and 13 balls respectively), Nonkululeko Mlaba (3 off 8 balls) were all unable to contribute into a memorable target against England’s women. Sinalo Jaftta, who scored only 22 off 36 balls, remained a top contributor for her side.

Player of the Match

Linsey Smith of the England women team was named as the Player of the Match after taking 3 wickets from 7 overs.