South Africa got the better of England in the fourth match of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at WACA ground in Perth. Chasing a low score of 124 wasn’t going to be tough, and the Proteas batters did exactly the same.
After losing their first wicket for just 6 runs in the form of opener Lizelle Lee, Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp didn’t let English bowlers dominate as they added 86-runs and took the game away from England.
Although in the last 5 overs England chipped in with two back to back wickets of Kapp and Niekerk for 46 and 38 respectively, it was too late as South Africa won the contest with 6 wickets in hand.
Earlier, after being invited to bat first, England managed to post 123-8 in their quota of 20 overs. They started pretty good and were scoring 6 runs per over until Kapp dismissed Amy Ellen Jones in the fourth over on 23. In the very next over, another opener Danielle Wyatt was sent back to the dugout by medium-pacer Ayabonga Khaka for just 2 runs.
Few overs later, English skipper Heather Knight also left the field after scoring just 6 runs. England never really got going and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.
Natalie Sciver was the lone warrior as she helped her side to reach a modest score of 123. The all-rounder scored 50 runs off 41 balls, including 5 fours and a six before getting dismissed in the second last over.
Ayabonga was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as she picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs while skipper Niekerk and all-rounder Kapp bagged a couple of wickets each. Shabnim Ismail also contributed with a wicket.
Niekerk, for her all-round performance, was honored with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
What a way to round off your 100th game @MdpMinx22
Wonderful start for our @Momentum_za Proteas @OfficialCSA #T20WorldCup— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) February 23, 2020
Wow wee this @T20WorldCup was expected to be the closest ever!! Certainly proving to be the case with India beating Australia. Now @OfficialCSA have beaten @englandcricket for the first time in an @ICC event!!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) February 23, 2020
WHAT A THRILLER!
Mignon du Preez's experience comes through in her 100th T20I as she carries South Africa to their first win against England in T20 World Cups. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/IEEqygdSVb
— ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2020
#ProteasWomen | VICTORY!🎉 What a moment, on her 100th T20I cap, Mignon Du Preez (15*) smashed a SIX and a FOUR to clinch a six-wicket triumph over England.
The team's first win over the Lionesses in #T20WorldCup cricket.
Well done ladies! 🇿🇦💚 #ENGvSA #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/EGpKgFk4sw
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 23, 2020
Proteas Women just beat England! Yaas! Queens who get the job done! #T20WorldCup
— Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) February 23, 2020
HISTORIC FIRST WIN for South Africa over England at T20 World Cups!
Proteas Women win their opening game of Group B by 6 wickets in Perth 👏👏👏#T20WorldCup #EngvSA #MomentumProteas #AlwaysRising 📸ICC pic.twitter.com/2mHHyo5D0Y
— gsport4girls (@gsport4girls) February 23, 2020
This #T20WorldCup has been blow open in a few games! Both Australia and England beaten by the underdogs… have a feeling this could be the most entertaining competition yet! 😳
— Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent MBE (@ejrainfordbrent) February 23, 2020
#T20WorldCup – RESULT:
South Africa sealed a nail-biting 6 wicket victory over England in their opening match of the tournament 🔥
The Proteas Women have beaten England for the first time in a World T20.#AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/ISglmgtisN
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 23, 2020
Hugs, high fives, and plenty of relieved faces 😅
The aftermath of a thriller.#ENGvSA | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3WH7shfmEl
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 23, 2020
India beating Australia. Thailand fighting hard against West Indies. Sri Lanka fighting hard against New Zealand and South Africa beating England.
What a start to the #T20WorldCup
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 23, 2020
2/20 with the ball
46 with the batA true captain's performance from Player of the Match Dane van Niekerk 🤳#ENGvSA | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HAFsVHObfz
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 23, 2020