Women’s T20 World Cup: South Africa reaches first ICC remaining

South Africa upset England by six runs to achieve its first Women’s T20 World Cup remaining on Friday.

Seamers Ayabonga Khaka and Shabnim Ismail shared seven wickets for the host crew and stored a strong English batting lineup at bay.

South Africa will face two-time defending champion Australia in Sunday’s remaining and has the prospect of doing one thing the lads’s nationwide crew has by no means performed — win a cricket World Cup, with the added bonus of it being on residence soil.

Khaka took three wickets within the 18th over and completed with 4-29, tearing by means of England’s center order in these six balls after they appeared on track to efficiently chase down South Africa’s 164-4.

Ismail had 3-27 and bowled the tense final over, when England nonetheless had an opportunity, needing 13 runs with captain Heather Knight on the wicket on 31 not out. Ismail’s third ball of the over angled in at Knight, clipped her on the hip and knocked out her leg stump, successfully sealing it for South Africa.

England wanted to hit two sixes off the final two balls and managed solely three extra runs to complete on 158-8.

“It was a great match,” South Africa captain Sune Luus stated. “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 . . . need to be brave and play free cricket.”

South Africa’s gamers celebrated their comeback, each within the sport and within the event, by leaping on one another in a crew huddle close to the center at Newlands. They surprisingly misplaced the World Cup opener to Sri Lanka and confronted a must-win remaining group sport in opposition to Bangladesh to achieve the knockout stage.

England felt extra semifinal ache after its last-four sport in opposition to India on the final World Cup was deserted due to rain and India went by means of to the ultimate due to a greater report within the group stage.

England has additionally misplaced three finals and its triumph within the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009 stays its final.

“Gutted,” England captain Knight stated. “Brilliant game of cricket. We did well to take it close. The girls embraced it but it didn’t come off today.”

South Africa opening batter Tazmin Brits additionally had a big effect on the sport, making 68 from 55 balls and sharing a 96-run opening stand with Laura Wolvaardt (53 from 44), and a fast 46-run partnership with Marizanne Kapp, whose 27 not out from 13 balls led to a stable complete.

England’s formidable batting began strongly as openers Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt plundered 53 from the primary 5 overs.

Ismail eliminated Dunkley for 28 after which Alice Capsey for a duck, by way of a diving one-handed catch by Brits within the outfield. It was one in all 4 catches for Brits.

England powered on, although, with Nat Sciver-Brunt threatening to hit her crew to victory till she holed out on the boundary for 40 from 34 balls, and to a different one in all Brits’ catches.

Khaka and Ismail then made positive of South Africa’s victory.

Australia is the sturdy favourite to win the ultimate, having triumphed in 5 of the seven earlier T20 World Cups. Sunday will likely be Australia’s seventh consecutive remaining.