Key Updates
- February 24, 2023 22:00Sune Luus
First of all, England, well played. It was a great match. We were in and out of the game and it went in waves. We do have the best bowling in the world but it was against the best batting attack in the world. We kept saying to them they need to be brave and play free cricket. (On Khaka) She is a phenomenal bowler, one of the best in the world. Showed her class today. (On the final) It is massive. Every game we play, we keep making history and keep inspiring a nation. I hope with one game to go we keep doing that.” Thanks the crowd and hopes that they turn up to support them for the final on Sunday. “[Kapp in a final] No pressure, Kappie! I think this one’s for her. The team has been working hard for two years. Has been playing extremely good cricket.
- February 24, 2023 21:55Heather Knight
Knight: Gutted. Brilliant game of cricket. We did well to take it close. They bowled straight lines and made it tough for us. This group doesn’t define us as a group. There is a huge amount of talent. We are starting to build something nicely. Sometimes fine margins happen and we lose the game. We are clear on how we want to go with T20 cricket. The girls embraced it but didn’t come off today. I took a moment at the end to take it all in. Good to see the crowd in and apply pressure on us. Just the professionalism, since I started. The amount of investment that has gone in since I started. The people yesterday and today were certainly entertained. I’ll be watching the final, gutted I won’t be there. Credit to Sune and her team.
- February 24, 2023 21:49Player of the match - Tazmin Brits
A terrific hand of 68 from 55 balls and four spectacular catches, Tazmin Brits is well and truly the PoTM!
Brits: “As a cricketer, you dream to show up at such moments. Thank you to the crowd, without them it wouldn’t have been possible. Nice to have backing from your country. We tried to accelerate at the beginning but got a measure of it as the game went on. 140 was a minimum but we got 160. I wrote it down on paper. I still cannot believe it (one-handed catch). I am impressed and happy with it. We need to praise and glory to God for giving us this opportunity.”
- February 24, 2023 21:46History at Newlands
A maiden limited-overs final for South Africa. A long wait comes to an end for the host. The Proteas break the jinx as the women lead the nation to its first senior-level ICC final since 1998!
- February 24, 2023 21:37WENG 158/8 in 20 overs
Glenn hits a low full toss to long-on for one run. Importantly, it gets Knight on strike. 12 needed off 5. Knight attempts to ramp but mishits, dot ball! Ismail to Knight, OUT! Newlands in raptures as Ismail uproots the leg-stump. Knight plays all around the length ball that angles in and that must be it for South Africa? Dean laps a ball to short fine leg for a single. Glenn chips the ball towards long-on and finds two runs. Length from Ismail and Glenn chips it down the ground. Does not matter as South Africa edges England six runs to reach its first-ever final, a special one at home!
Heather Knight b Ismail 31 (25b 2x6)
- February 24, 2023 21:34ENG 152/7 in 19 overs
Two off-cutters from Kapp and a couple of runs. Slower ball again and Knight smokes it for SIX down the ground! Short ball to follow and Knight slaps it deep cover for a single. 16 needed off 8! Glenn lifts a slower-ball to mid-on and gets two runs. 150 up for England! A single and Glenn retains strike. England needs 13 in the last over!
- February 24, 2023 21:26WENG 140/7 in 18 overs
Khaka to Jones, OUT! GONE! Straight to cover. Jones attempts to loft one over cover but gets no timing on it whatsoever. Anneke Bosch leaps to her left and pouches the ball and England is five down as Sophie Ecclestone walks in. Khaka nails the slower yorkers and Knight fails to dig it out. A single to follow. Khaka to Ecclestone, OUT! A deft slower ball claims Ecclestone as she perishes with a tame chip to Bosch at cover. Khaka to Katherine Sciver-Brunt, OUT! Slower ball on length and Khaka hits flush on the pads first ball. The umpire raises her finger. Knight asks her partner to walk before asking her for a last-gasp review. THREE REDS and England loses it seventh wicket! Ayabonga Khaka finishes with figures of 4-0-29-4!
Amy Jones c Bosch b Khaka 2 (3b); Sophie Ecclestone c Bosch b Khaka 1 (2b); Katherine Sciver-Brunt lbw b Khaka 0 (1b
- February 24, 2023 21:22WENG 137/4 in 17 overs - needs 28 in 3 overs
Crucial over from de Klerk. de Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, OUT! Sciver finds Brits at long-on. Brits can do wrong on the outfield today. Slower ball and de Klerk asks Sciver to display her power. She fails to get the desired distance and South Africa picks up a massive wicket. Amy Jones walks in. She’s off the mark with a single.
Nat Sciver-Brunt c Brits b de Klerk 40 (34b 5x4)
- February 24, 2023 21:164ENG 131/3 in 16 overs - needs 34 in 24 balls
Ismail and Sciver scoops it fine for FOUR. Low full toss on leg and Sciver flicks it fine for another FOUR! Ismail follows up with a sharp yorker. Slower-ball and beaten. Sciver misreads it but Jafta fumbles behind the stumps and concedes a bye. A single to follow. Ismail running in on full tilt now. Slower-ball on length and Sciver drags it behind square for FOUR!
- February 24, 2023 21:114ENG 117/3 in 15 overs - 48 to win in 5 overs
Kapp returns. Length ball and Knight pulls for a single. Slower-ball on length and Sciver makes room and pummels the ball past cover for FOUR. A couple of singles to follow as Kapp employs the off-cutter. CHange of pace again and Sciver squeezes it to deep mid-wicket and finds two runs.
- February 24, 2023 21:08ENG 107/3 in 14 overs
de Klerk continues to pin the batters to the crease. Good start with just one run from the first two balls. Straighter delivery and Sciver flicks the ball to square-leg and finds two runs. Off-cutter to follow and Sciver drags the ball to cow corner for one run. Superb from de Klerk. Another slower-ball lands in the blockhole and Knight fails to put bat on ball.
- February 24, 2023 21:036ENG 102/3 in 13 overs
Chloe Tryon into the attack. Knight reverse-sweeps off length and finds two runs. Tryon offers one in the slot and Knight steps out to pump the ball over long-off for SIX - the first SIX hit against South Africa in the tournament! A single to follow. Tryon to Sciver, loud shout and OUT says the umpire. Sciver shuffles across to sweep as Tryon wafts one in towards the pads. She reviews and the UltraEdge suggests a clear spike off the glove. In the air and Tryon puts down a tough chance. Sciver and advances and hits the ball straight back to Tryon who leaps to her left but fails to hold onto the ball.
- February 24, 2023 21:01ENG 92/3 in 12 overs
Mix-up and nearly another wicket for South Africa. Slower ball from de Klerk and Knight dabs it to point. Sciver sets off for a quick single but is sent back. Sharp throw but the bowler fails to gather it at the non-striker’s. de Klerk’s change of pace has been difficult for the English batters to counter. Four from the over.
- February 24, 2023 20:55WENG 88/3 in 11 overs
Khaka returns. Nat Sciver-Brunt flicks the ball through to mid-wicket for one run. The boundaries have dried up suddenly. Khaka to Wyatt, OUT! It’s Brits again! Slower-ball onto the body and Wyatt squeezes the ball straight to Brits at short fine-leg. Wyatt is distraught as she trudges back. The pressure pays off for South Africa. Heather Knight in at 5. Four runs and a wicket from the Khaka over.
Danni Wyatt c Brits b Khaka 34 (30b 6x4)
- February 24, 2023 20:50ENG 84/2 in 10 overs
Nadine de Klerk into the attack. de Klerk starts with a ball that tails in to nearly clip Sciver’s leg-stump. She makes room to go over cover but misses. de Klerk mixes up her lengths and the batters resort to singles. Excellent over from de Klerk as she only concedes three runs in her first over. England needs 81 from the next 10 overs.
- February 24, 2023 20:464ENG 81/2 in 9 overs
Mlaba tosses one outside the off-stump and Wyatt rocks back to cut through point and find FOUR runs. Mlaba corrects her line and bowls three successive dots to Wyatt. Need more of that to press England.
- February 24, 2023 20:424ENG 75/2 in 8 overs
Kapp offers length and Nat Sciver pumps the ball over mid-on for another FOUR. Eight runs from the over and Wyatt and Sciver build along sensible lines.
- February 24, 2023 20:374ENG 67/2 in 7 overs
Slower ball from Khaka and Wyatt lofts it just over Tryon at mid-on for FOUR. Khaka errs in line once again and Wyatt swipes it through square-leg for FOUR.
- February 24, 2023 20:30WENG 55/2 in 6 overs
Ismail to Dunkley, OUT! Straight to mid-wicket. Dunkley gets an inside-edge on a length ball as she attempts to swing across the line. Massive wicket for South Africa as Brits takes a simple catch. Alice Capsey in at 3. Sharper lines from Ismail as she attacks the off-stump. Capsey dabs the ball to point. Ismail to Capsey, OUT! A ripper from Tazmin Brits! Ismail is pumped as she jumps onto Brits in jubilation. A well-directed bouncer from Ismail and Capsey swats it to the right of Brits at mid-wicket. She puts in a spectacular leap and completes a one-handed catch before hitting the ground. Ismail and Brits have produced magic in the space of three balls to drag the Proteas back into the game. Two runs and two wickets from the over.
Sophia Dunkley c Brits b Ismail 28 (16b 6x4)
- February 24, 2023 20:274ENG 53/0 in 5 overs
Mlaba returns. Mlaba wafts one in and Dunkley lifts the ball over mid-off with a nimble shuffle and finds FOUR. Length delivery again and Dunkley charges to chip the ball over Mlaba for another FOUR. FIFTY up in 4.4 overs with a third consecutive FOUR. Dunkley playing with Mlaba’s lines as she steps out to flick the ball through mid-wicket.
- February 24, 2023 20:22ENG 40/0 in 4 overs
Ayabonga Khaka replaces Ismail. Jafta stands up to the stumps after Wyatt takes a single. Length outside the off-stump and Dunkley slashes hard, the quick outside-edge flies for FOUR past short-third. Aggressive start from the English openers. Khaka overpitches and Wyatt scythes the ball over point for FOUR more!
- February 24, 2023 20:18ENG 30/0 in 3 overs
Marizanne Kapp into the attack. Kapp slides one in and Wyatt charges to flick the ball to mid-wicket. Room on offer and Wyatt takes the aerial route over cover. Ismail gives chase and puts in a superb dive to save two runs. However, the umpire deems her foot has just grassed the fence, FOUR for Wyatt. Low full toss from Kapp and Dunkley gets a thick edge trickling past the keeper for another FOUR.
- February 24, 2023 20:12ENG 21/0 in 2 overs
Shabnim Ismail from the opposite end. Ismail starts with a yorker that hits Dunkley while sliding down leg. Dunkley hits a fuller ball to mid-on and a misfield concedes FOUR runs. BEATEN! Better line from Ismail. Hits the length hard and cuts the under-edge of the bat. FOUR more! Unfortunate for Ismail as her well-directed bouncer flies past the keeper to the fence.
- February 24, 2023 20:09ENG 11/0 in 1 over
Mlaba strays to the pads and Wyatt fails to put bat on ball. Short and sliding down leg and Wyatt paddles the ball over short fine-leg for FOUR. FIVE wides! Mlaba fends one down leg once again and the ball zips past Jafta. Mlaba gets away with another poor delivery down leg. Dunkley sweeps it to short fine-leg. A single to follow. 11 runs from the first over.
- February 24, 2023 20:08Chase begins
South Africa is on the cusp of history as it attempts to defend 164. England openers Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley walk out to the middle. Nonkululeko Mlaba takes the new ball.
- February 24, 2023 19:514SA 164/4 in 20 overs
Slower ball on a fuller length from Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Luus flicks it to square-leg for a single. NO BALL AND FOUR! Brunt’s attempts a slower-ball and gets it all wrong. Kapp puts the beamer away to the fine leg fence. Free hit. 150 up for South Africa. Width on offer and Kapp parries the ball over cover for two runs. A single to follow. Luus makes room for a big hit but only finds a single. Kapp crunches the slower-ball. Sciver-Brunt offers another leg-cutter and Kapp waits on it and smokes it through extra cover for FOUR. A fine finish for South Africa. Length ball and Kapp steps out and pulls through mid-wicket for FOUR.
- February 24, 2023 19:49WSA 146/4 in 19 overs
Tryon gets a leading edge over the bowler and some excellent running helps the batter reel in two runs! Ecclestone to Tryon, OUT! Tryon finds the fielder. Short ball outside the off-stump and Tryon swats it across the line and finds Nat-Sciver Brunt at mid-wicket. Ecclestone to Nadine de Klerk, OUT! Cleans her up. A two-ball duck for de Klerk as Ecclestone darts in a yorker. Sune Luus walks in. A superb over the World No. 1. Three runs and two wickets from the over!
Chloe Tryon c Sciver b Ecclestone 3 (3b); Nadine de Klerk b Ecclestone 0 (2b)
- February 24, 2023 19:46Most runs in T20 World Cup 2023
- Nat Sciver Brunt - 176
- Tazmin Brits - 176
- Alyssa Healy - 171
- February 24, 2023 19:42WSA 143/2 in 18 overs
A couple of singles to start Bell’s over. Bell overpitches and Brits makes a gentle bit of room to slap the ball past cover for FOUR. Bell to Brits, OUT! Straight to long-on. A superb innings comes to the end as Brits smites one straight to Katherine Sciver-Brunt at the boundary. Chloe Tryon in at 4.
Tazmin Brits c Brunt b Bell 68 (55b 6x4 2x6)
- February 24, 2023 19:36SA 135/1 in 17 overs
Katherine Sciver-Brunt returns. Brits drives across the line and some excellent running earns her two runs. Frantic calls for changes in the field from Nat and Katherine after the first delivery. In the air and short of mid-on. Kapp mistimes another slog and fortunately for her the ball falls short of Dean and the ball skips past her for FOUR. The bowler is fuming and hits the pitch in frustration. Superb running from Kapp. Gently tucks a length ball through the on-side and forces the midwicket fielder to err with the throw. Two more to the total.
- February 24, 2023 19:334SA 125/1 in 16 overs
Huge four overs coming up for South Africa and here’s Nat-Sciver Brunt. Brilliant from Brits! Sciver-Brunt attempts to dip one in the blockhole and Brits makes room and lofts the ball over cover for FOUR. Kapp mistimes a slog down the ground and the ball just beats the mid-off fielder. South Africa adds two more runs. Slower ball on length and Kapp lifts the ball past cover for another two runs.
- February 24, 2023 19:28100SA 116/1 in 15 overs
Brits attempts a reverse-sweep but finds the point fielder. Wide from Glenn. Length from Glenn and Brits dances down the track and smokes the ball for SIX to bring up South Africa’s 100. In the slot again and Brits pumps another SIX over wide long-on. FIFTY for Tazmin Brits off 43 balls! Glenn fends short and Brits takes her front leg across the line and thwacks the ball through extra cover for FOUR.
- February 24, 2023 19:23WSA 98/1 in 14 overs
FIFTY for Laura Wolvaardt with a stupendous inside-shot lofted drive over cover for FOUR. Shorter from Ecclestone and Wolvaardts slaps the ball to deep cover for a single. Brits finds another run. Ecclestone to Wolvaardt, OUT! Leading edge straight to point. Ecclestone darts one flatter and Wolvaardt rushes the flick to provide England the breakthrough. Marizanne Kapp in at 3. Kapp’s off the mark with a swipe to deep mid-wicket for two runs.
Laura Wolvaardt c Dean b Ecclestone 53 (44b 5x4 1x6)
- February 24, 2023 19:19SA 90/0 in 13 overs
Dean sends in a full-toss and Wolvaardt drives it down the ground for a single. Dean rushes one onto Brits’ pads as she misses a sweep off one knee. Loud shout but the umpire denies an lbw and England reviews. The ball appears to be sliding down leg. In fact, there’s a spike off the gloves before the ball hits the pads. England loses the review. Another misfield from Wolvaardt adds another run to the board. Seven runs off the over. How many more can the Proteas target from this position?
- February 24, 2023 19:154SA 83/0 in 12 overs
Bell returns. In the air and Alice Capsey fails to reach the ball while running backwards from mid-off. Another chance but Wolvaardt’s slog across the line falls just short of wide long-on. Bell feeds length and Wolvaardt crunches it through mid-wicket for FOUR. Bell attempts a slower-ball but rolls it down leg for a wide.
- February 24, 2023 19:11SA 72/0 in 11 overs
Dean slides one to the pads and Brits flicks it square-leg for a single. Wolvaardt pushes a delivery to deep cover for another run. Length from Dean with a sharper line towards the middle stump. Brits flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. The batters continue to frustrate England with another single. Five from the over. South Africa needs more boundaries from here on.
- February 24, 2023 19:05SA 67/0 in 10 overs
Short from Glenn and Brits drags the ball to square-leg for a single. Glenn tosses one up and Wolvaardt drives it to cover. A misfield concedes a single. In the slot and Brits advances to loft the ball down the ground for FOUR. 1000 T20I runs for Wolvaardt with another single. Nine runs from the over.
- February 24, 2023 19:024SA 58/0 in 9 overs
Length from Nat-Sciver Brunt and Wolvaardt pummels the ball over mid-on for FOUR. A single to follow. Short from Sciver-Brunt and Brits slaps it straight to the square-leg umpire. Thankfully, she’s fine and the batters take a single.
- February 24, 2023 19:01SA 50/0 in 8 overs
Wolvaardt and Brits find the gaps with ease as Ecclestone attempts to cramp the batters. FIFTY comes up for South Africa with a sixth single of the over.
- February 24, 2023 18:564SA 44/0 in 7 overs
Sarah Glenn into the attack. Fraction short from Sarah and Wolvaardt cuts the ball through point for FOUR. Wolvaardt flicks the ball through the on-side for another two runs.
- February 24, 2023 18:514SA 37/0 in 6 overs
Nat Sciver-Brunt replaces Ecclestone. Fumble from Amy Jones as the ball slides down leg and the batters gain an extra run. Short ball and Brits pulls it for FOUR through backward square-leg.
- February 24, 2023 18:47SA 28/0 in 5 overs
Charlie Dean into the attack. Dean strays to the pads. No shot on offer from Brits and she takes off for a single as the ball slides down leg. Danni Wyatt asks for a dead ball but the umpire signals leg-byes! Poor call there. Another short delivery from Dean and Wolvaardt drags the ball behind square for three runs. A single to follow. In the slot outside the off-stump and Wolvaardt lofts the ball over mid-off for SIX! 14 runs from the over.
- February 24, 2023 18:434SA 14/0 in 4 overs
Sophie Ecclestone replaces Bell. A couple of dots and Brits finally gets a loosener. Ecclestone wafts the ball outside the off-stump and Brits sweeps the ball through mid-wicket for FOUR. Beaten. Slower through the air and Ecclestone gets the ball to drift sharply past Brits’ outside-edge. Brits advances and lofts the ball down the ground, Katherine Sciver-Brunt makes a save at long-on and saves two runs.
- February 24, 2023 18:42SA 9/0 in 3 overs
The dots continue to swell up in the PP for South Africa. Brunt tightens her line of attack around the off-stump and Brits continues to push the ball to the infield fielders. Short ball down leg and Brits swivels and guides it down to fine leg for a single. Fuller ball this time and Wolvaardt mistimes the drive towards cover. Beaten! Top delivery from Katherine Sciver-Brunt as she tails the ball in and beats the leg-stump as Wolvaardt attempts to make some room. That was close.
- February 24, 2023 18:34SA 8/0 in 2 overs
Lauren Bell from the opposite end. Bell dips the ball on the full and Brits check-drives it through cover for two runs. Bell slides one in and hits high on the pad. Loud shout but the umpire shrugs it away. Bell overpitches and pumps the ball straight back past the bowler to the stumps at the other end. Short ball outside the off-stump and the umpire signals a wide. Misses her line by a fair margin there. Bell strays to the pads and Brits gets a leg-bye. This is a neat start for England. Bell lands one in the blockhole and Wolvaardt digs it out. Full and straight, Wolvaardt drives it back to the bowler and that’s another dot ball.
- February 24, 2023 18:324SA 4/0 in 1 over
Sciver-Brunt hits the length first-up and Wolvaardt dabs the ball to cover. A hint of shape away this time and Wolvaardt slashes the ball through point for FOUR. Sharper ball towards the middle stump and Wolvaardt stands tall on defence. Brunt maintains her line and Wolvaardt drives the ball to mid-on. Fine comeback, just the four runs from the first over.
- February 24, 2023 18:29Action begins
Heather Knight’s side takes the field as South Africa openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits walk out to the centre. Katherine Sciver-Brunt takes the new ball.
- February 24, 2023 18:23National anthems time
Sune Luus and Heather Knight lead their respective teams out for the national anthems.
- February 24, 2023 18:14Pitch Report
Pitch report from Pommie Mbangwa and Katie Martin: There is a shorter side, 56 meters at one end and 62 meters at the other end. England is a six-hitting side and it will surely pepper the shorter side. Question is to make them hit the longer side. Same pitch that was used yesterday. That was a high-scoring pitch. There will be no swing, looks a bit dry and it looks a good batting surface.
- February 24, 2023 18:07Playing XIs
South Africa XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus(c), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
England XI: Danielle Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight(c), Amy Jones(w), Sophie Ecclestone, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Charlotte Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell
- February 24, 2023 17:59Toss
TOSS: South Africa wins toss, opts to bat
Sune Luus: We’re going to have a bat first. Looks a good wicket and we want to put runs on the board. Same team. To be in the semifinal of a World Cup is a special moment. It will be n exciting balance. Both teams are well-rounded and it’ll be a challenge. Can’t wait to take the field.
Heather Knight: I’d have batted first too, wanted to put runs on the board. We talked about heating up our game, no matter what the opposition and match situation. It’s normal for the youngsters now (to handle pressure), having played in The Hundred and in international cricket. Need to use the crowd energy to your advantage. One change: Bell in for Davies.
- February 24, 2023 17:58All to play for
- February 24, 2023 17:53All to play for
- February 24, 2023 17:27ENG vs SA Dream11 prediction
Wicketkeepers: Amy Jones
Batters: Laura Wolvaardt, Heather Knight, Danielle Wyatt
All-rounders: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Marizanne Kapp
Bowlers: Sophie Ecclestone, Shabnim Ismail, Sarah Glenn
Team Composition: ENG 7:4 SA Credits Left: 7.0
- February 24, 2023 17:17‘Nothing to lose’
- February 24, 2023 17:08England: Road to semifinal
- Feb 11 - West Indies 135/7 (20) v England 138/3 (14.3) -ENG won by seven wickets
- Feb 13 - Ireland 105 (18.2) v England 107/6 (14.2) - ENG won by four wickets
- Feb 18 - England 151/7 (20) v India 140/5 (20) - ENG won by 11 runs
- Feb 21 - England 213/5 (20) v Pakistan 99/9 (20) - ENG won by 114 runs
- February 24, 2023 17:01South Africa: Road to semifinal
- Feb 10 - Sri Lanka 129/4 (20) v South Africa 126/9 (20) - SL won by three runs
- Feb 13 - South Africa 132/6 (20) v New Zealand 67 (18.1) - SA won by 65 runs
- Feb 18 - South Africa 124/6 (20) v Australia 125/4 (16.3) - AUS won by six wickets
- Feb 21 - Bangladesh 113/6 (20) v South Africa 117/0 (17.5) - SA won by 10 wickets
- February 24, 2023 16:55Key Stats
- South Africa has never beaten England in their three previous limited-overs World Cup semifinals.
- England is aiming to reach its second semifinal since the inaugural edition in 2009 where it won the title at home.
- February 24, 2023 16:52Predicted XIs - ENG vs SA
England: Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
- February 24, 2023 16:46India fans, how are you holding up?
- February 24, 2023 16:41Wednesdays with WV E27: Shubhangi Kulkarni
- February 24, 2023 16:37ENG vs SA Semifinal preview
South Africa to take the battle to England
Host South Africa will take the attack to more fancied England in Friday’s Women’s World Cup semi-final at Newlands, as captain Sune Luus believes it is “nothing to lose” in its bid for a first-ever final spot.
England has been superb with bat and ball and looked untroubled in reaching the knock-out stages, while South Africa needed a nervous victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday to book its berth.
“There is no pressure on us, we can go out and enjoy the moment and try and do our best,” Luus told reporters.
“It was hard work to get here (the semi-finals). We are still searching for that perfect game were all aspects click and work together.”
Middle-order batter Luus believes the only way to counter England is to attack it and try to turn up the pressure.
“They play a very attacking brand but that can play to our advantage. Once they lose a wicket they keep playing aggressively so that creates an opportunity for us. We also need to play attacking cricket from the start of the game,” she said.
South Africa has been to the semifinals of the last two 50-over World Cups and reached the last four in the previous T20 tournament in 2020. It has five semifinal appearances in all in white-ball cricket without ever making the decider.
“We have been on the opposite side too many times, we know how it feels (to lose at this stage). That gives us enough motivation to go out there and just enjoy it with nothing to lose,” added Luus.
“We need to stay focused on the basics and do the simple things right. That will give us the best chance.”
Luus suggested the Newlands wicket may be more partial to pace, which could limit the impact of England’s much-vaunted spinners led by Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean.
“I have heard there are good signs (for pace in the wicket). All our pace bowlers can make something work. If we can take the spinners out of the game early, they (England) will be on the back foot in terms of who they go to.
“They (England’s spinners) have been excellent in this tournament.”
South Africa has won three of its 23 international T20 fixtures against England, though the last of those wins came in Perth at the previous World Cup exactly three years ago.
Record-breaking England on a high
England goes into Friday’s semifinal on a high after setting a record-breaking score this week but also tempered by personal disappointment, opener Danni Wyatt said on Thursday.
Wyatt hit a brisk 59 to help England to a fast start against Pakistan at Newlands on Tuesday followed by 81 not out for Nat Sciver-Brunt as it scored 213-5 to register the highest-ever women’s T20 World Cup total in a record 114-run thrashing to complete an unbeaten group phase.
“We’ve been given a licence at the top of the order to go from ball one. We’ve got the depth and the order to allow us to do that. Even if it’s going to be tricky conditions, we’re still going to keep going hard,” Wyatt told a news conference as England bid to reach the final for the fifth time in eight editions.
“Everyone’s feeling really confident and, more importantly, really chilled. This is the end bit of the tournament and it’s really important to be calm and really clever and smart about the way you’re going to go out and play.”
Wyatt’s half-century came after the shock of her going unsold at the auction of players for the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India next month.
“Cricket is so up and down isn’t it, especially as an opener, it can be brutal at times. And you’ve just got to believe in yourself and just keep going, keep taking it to them,” she added.
“It was a very heartbreaking couple of days, I was very disappointed, obviously, having been a part of the WPL exhibition matches and I love playing cricket in India. But that’s life. And my focus is purely on this World Cup now. And, yeah, the sun still comes up the next day, doesn’t it?”
- REUTERS
- February 24, 2023 16:21England vs South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal live streaming info
When is England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal match?
The England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal will be played on Friday, February 24.
Where is England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal match happening?
The England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 will be played at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
How and where to watch the live streaming of the England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal?
The England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal will be streamed live on the Disney+ Hotstar app.
Which channel will telecast England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal?
The England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
What time will the England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal will begin?
The England vs South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal will start at 6:30 pm IST, on February 24.
Teams:
- England Women: Danielle Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight(c), Amy Jones(w), Sophie Ecclestone, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Charlotte Dean, Sarah Glenn, Freya Davies, Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Lauren Winfield-Hill
- South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus(c), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Delmi Tucker, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Masabata Klaas
Comments
Follow Us
SHARE