London, July 3: Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s awe-inspiring knock of 75 after an injury led England past South Africa and into the final of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup on Thursday.
Sciver-Brunt and former skipper Heather Knight rescued England from 23-3 with a 133-run partnership – the highest ever in a World Cup knockout match – to set South Africa a forbidding 170 target in The Oval semifinal.
South Africa, which chose to chase, had the life squeezed out of it and saw the writing on the wall as early as the 11th over after the great Marizanne Kapp was just the third out. By then the run rate required was already at 11 per over for the finalist in the previous two T20 World Cups.
No. 2-ranked England won by 40 runs and will face No. 1 Australia in the final at sold-out Lord’s on Sunday. It’s the first time since 2010 that both teams in the final are unbeaten.
South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail became the first woman to reach 50 career wickets.
South Africa had to make 170. Its chances plunged as captain Laura Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen and Kapp were removed cheaply. Opener Tazmin Brits endured until the 15th over but for a too-slow 45-ball 51.
England’s attack was impressive with five bowlers taking wickets. Freya Kemp led with 1-11 and spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 1-21 and two catches. (AP)
