T20 World Cup, The Oval
England 169-5 (20 overs): Sciver-Brunt 75 (47), Knight 58 (47)
South Africa 129-8 (20 overs): Brits 51 (45); Bell 2-28
England won by 40 runs
England roared into Sunday’s T20 World Cup final against Australia with a superb 40-run victory against South Africa at The Oval.
On a brilliant night under the lights in front of a jubilant and expectant crowd, England overcame their recent struggles in pressure matches in the biggest sign of improvement under coach Charlotte Edwards to date.
They wobbled early on, faltering at 23-3 in the fourth over, but captain Nat Sciver-Brunt hit an immaculate 75 from 47 on her return from a calf injury which threatened to rule her out of the tournament.
She shared a partnership of 133 from 90 balls with England’s other wise head, Heather Knight, lifting England all of the way to 169-5. Knight, equally as impressive as Sciver-Brunt, made 58 from 47.
And while those two provided almost all of the runs, England’s excellence in the field was an all-round effort.
Their fielding – for so long a glaring weakness – was outstanding.
Sophie Ecclestone took a leaping catch to see off Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt and break an opening stand of 43, and took a second tough chance later to dismiss Sune Luus. Danni Wyatt-Hodge also ran out Sinalo Jafta with a direct hit.
As for the bowlers, Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean took two wickets apiece, Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Freya Kemp one each, as South Africa’s hopes were snuffed out.
Their wait for a World Cup win goes on but England, though second favourites against their oldest rivals at Lord’s, have a real shot at a first trophy since 2017.
Sciver-Brunt stars with England almost perfect
Having come through the tournament unbeaten to this point compared to South Africa, who lost to Australia and stuttered through their group, England were favourites.
But with Amy Jones having cut to point, the tournament’s leading run-scorer Wyatt-Hodge bowled and Alice Capsey pinned in front, albeit with an inside edge she failed to review – memories of England’s two previous semi-finals against South Africa, both sorry defeats, were looming large.
What followed was a sensational partnership from Sciver-Brunt and Knight, who drew on all of their experience.
There was only one boundary in their first 20 balls together. They calmed England’s nerves but charged through the second half of the innings – Sciver-Brunt’s ramps emerging and Knight increasingly taking the aerial route.
Plenty in the Oval crowd were standing when Sciver-Brunt reached her fifty. After missing the past three matches, she was passed fit for this match after coming through a training session on Wednesday but there were still huge doubts over whether she would be able to get through the game.
At no point did she look troubled by the calf. She even got off the mark with a quick single and later chased the ball down in the field.
This was, undoubtedly, one of England’s best performances in recent memory.
More to follow.
