South Africa shock world champions
At New Road South Africa (193-3) beat England Women (189-9) by seven wickets
England Women suffered a disappointing seven-wicket defeat against their South African counterparts at New Road, the hosts’ first 50-over match on home soil since winning the World Cup.
Opener Lizelle Lee anchored South Africa to victory by contributing a superb unbeaten 92, earning her the player-of-the-match award. Her captain, Dane van Niekerk, provided crucial support, hitting 58, to help the tourists surpass their 189 target with four and a half overs to spare.
England could have suffered an embarrassing defeat had Katherine Brunt not batted so impressively at No 7, reaching 72 not out to steer Heather Knight’s side from 97 for eight to a more respectable 189 for nine. Brunt clubbed her score from 98 balls. The partnership of 41 between Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone was a joint 10th wicket record for England.
Knight admitted frustration with her side’s composure at the crease, while accepting that they had been exposed by an excellent display of seam bowling from the visitors. “It was a 50/50 call [to bat first],” she said. “I don’t think the ball moved outrageously for them. They bowled very well. Barring Tammy’s wicket it was us with execution. There were a few soft dismissals.”
Opener Tammy Beaumont was clean bowled by Ayabonga Khaka for six as England slipped to 39 for four.
Shabnim Ismail had Sarah Taylor trapped lbw for two, while Heather Knight had made only four when she was out in the same manner to Marizanne Kapp.
Van Niekerk later paid tribute to the performance of her attack after the win – South Africa Women’s first in England against the hosts since 2003.
“We saw in the morning that there was a bit of swing and movement in the air. The bowlers worked hard on moving the ball,” she said.
“After Katherine’s knock, we were a bit down because we felt that we could have bowled them out for 120.
“The wicket got better and the batters were excited going out there. The position I came out in, I had to play my natural game.”