England Women registered another big win against South Africa, defeating the visitors by six wickets in the second T20I to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series, here at the Country Ground.
Sarah Glenn (2/27) and England veteran bowler Katherine Brunt (1/24) bowled tight spells on Saturday evening restricting the Proteas to 148/6 in the allotted 20 overs before overhauling the total in 19 overs for the loss of four wickets.
England have already won the ODI series in the multi-format fixture, while the one-off Test had ended in a draw.
Seamer Brunt added another record to her already impressive resume emerging the highest wicket-taker for her country in T20Is. She picked up the milestone when she deceived dashing South Africa player Laura Wolvaadt with a superb slower delivery that took out the top of leg stump.
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The 37-year-old has now taken 103 wickets in 98 matches with a best of 4/15. It’s another feather in the cap for Brunt, who bowled well against South Africa to finish with tidy figures of 1/24 from her four overs.
It was a decent effort from the visitors with the bat, with opener Anneke Bosch top-scoring with a fine 61 at the top of the order. Fellow opener Lara Goodall chipped in with 42 and Wolvaardt made a quick-fire 21 as the Proteas put together a score they thought would be enough.
But with experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp missing due to family reasons, the Proteas’ bowling attack lacked the sting and the England batters made them pay.
South Africa’s total of 148/6 was always going to be difficult to chase down, but England’s new-look top-order had few issues as they reached the victory target with an over to spare.
Young gun Sophia Dunkley (23) and experienced right-hander Danni Wyatt (39) got the hosts off to a quick start, with the likes of Nat Sciver (47) and Amy Jones (20 not out) successfully guiding the run chase home.
Brief scores: South Africa Women 148/6 in 20 overs (Anneke Bosch 61, Lara Goodall 42; Sarah Glenn 2/27) lost to England Women 151/4 in 19 overs (Danni Wyatt 39, Nat Sciver 47) by six wickets.
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