England make it two in two in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. In their second game against South Africa, the Heather Knight-led side bowled brilliantly, restricting them to 124 runs in the first innings. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a half-century against West Indies in the opening game, looked good with the bat once again and gave a perfect start to South Africa but failed to convert it, as she departed for 42 runs.
The middle order batters couldn’t step up and that put pressure on South Africa. Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp added 26 runs off 17 deliveries while Annerie Dercksen played an important cameo of 20* runs off 11 balls but that wasn’t enough. Opener Tazmin Brits and batting at number three, Anneke Bosch played too many dot balls, which piled pressure on the middle order batters and they couldn’t deliver as expected.
For England, Sophie Ecclestone starred with the ball, picking up two wickets in her four overs. Sarah Glenn supported her well, by conceding just 18 runs in her four overs and also picked up the wicket of Bosch. Meanwhile, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean also picked up one wicket each.
When it came to the chase, England lost the wicket of Maia Bouchier early but that didn’t put any pressure on them. Other opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge played well as she scored 43 runs in the middle. She couldn’t finish off the game, something that might bother her but nevertheless, played a crucial knock.
Senior all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt supported her perfectly and finished off the game with four balls remaining. The 32-year-old played aggressively, even though the pitch was sluggish in nature, and scored 48* runs off 36 balls to win it for the team. Meanwhile, with two back-to-back wins, England have moved closer to the semi-final spot. Next, they will face Scotland and West Indies in the league stage.
South Africa, on the other hand, have one win in two games. If they win their remaining two games against Scotland and Bangladesh, they can push for a spot in the semis as well.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
England eventually manage getting over the line with easy winning by 7 wickets!
– Nat Sciver-Brunt 48*(36).
– Sophie Ecclestone 2/15(4).#ENGWvSAW #T20WomensWorldCup#T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/I0u3fg2sJz
— Pragnesh Patel (@Pragnesh1935) October 7, 2024
England W won by 7 wickets against South Arica W.#ENGWvSAW pic.twitter.com/77oa949mNr
— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) October 7, 2024
🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
🔸Men🏴 and Women 🏴 both Are dangerous Team👍👍🏆👏🏏🤝👌✅#T20WomensWorldCup #ENGWVSAW pic.twitter.com/r9PX9h106w
— Moin Khan (@MoinKha71711786) October 7, 2024
Sophie Ecclestone Against South Africa
4 overs 15 runs 2 wickets
Average banger day for @Sophecc19 pic.twitter.com/Uc14PlDtwO
— Monk (@Itsmonk_45) October 7, 2024
Sophie Ecclestone today becomes the 1st left arm spinner ever to take 25 wickets at the T20 World Cup
26 wickets now for Sophie, who got the 2 massive wickets of Laura Wolvaardt & Marizanne Kapp today in a super spell of 2/15#T20WorldCup #ENGvSA
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 7, 2024
Sophie Ecclestone is such a boring cricketer. Roj aao, roj hi achi bowling karo, 2-3 wicket lo, no.1 Bane raho, end mein aake 2-4 six maar do. Itna bhi kya monotonous hona yaar. Kabhi Radha Yadav se poocho zindagi jeena kya hai.
— ∆ 🏏 (@CaughtAtGully) October 7, 2024
Can Sophie Ecclestone be the part time spin coach of men’s test team please. Her accuracy and control with the ball in hand is sooo awesome ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
— Politics N Cricket 🏏 🇮🇳🏴🎵 🎥🎤 (@rs_3702) October 7, 2024
With England next in World Cup action on Sunday, Is it possible to fly Sophie Ecclestone to Multan, make her wear a bald cap and pretend she’s Jack Leach for the rest of the test match? #ENGvsPAK #T20WorldCup
— Matt Mehdi Daley (@MattMehdiDaley) October 7, 2024