The South African Women’s cricket team made history on Friday when they defeated England in a nail-biting semi-final match of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. vAfter winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat first and scored an impressive 164 runs at the loss of four wickets. In response, England could only manage 158 runs, losing eight wickets, and South Africa won the match by 6 runs. This marks the first time that South Africa has reached the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup, having previously only made it to the semi-finals in 2014 and 2020.
Tazmin Brits were the star of the match for South Africa, scoring 68 runs off 55 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Laura Wolvaardt also contributed to the team’s success, scoring 53 runs in 44 balls with five fours and a six. For England, Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets, while Lauren Bell took one. South Africa will now face Australia in the final.
South Africa got off to a shaky start in the powerplay, scoring 37 runs without loss. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt began strongly, adding 96 runs for the first wicket. The pair was broken up by Sophie Ecclestone, who sent Wolvaardt to the pavilion after getting him caught out by Charlie Dean. After this, Tajmin Brits shared a 46-run partnership for the second wicket with Marjane Kapp. Brits were dismissed for 68 runs in 55 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes, courtesy of a delivery from Lauren Bell. Chloe Trianon scored three runs and Nadine de Klerk returned to the pavilion without opening the account. Cap, while remaining unbeaten, played a scintillating inning of 27 runs in 13 balls with the help of four fours and took the team to a formidable score. Captain Sune Luce remained unbeaten after scoring three runs.
Chasing the target from South Africa, England started off with a bang and scored more than 50 runs in five overs without losing any wickets. However, Shabnim Ismail changed the course of the match in the sixth over. Shabnim took two wickets in one over, sending back Sophia Dunkley on the first ball and Alice Capsey on the third ball. After this, the wickets of the England team kept falling continuously. In the 18th over, Ayabonga Khaka ensured South Africa’s victory in the match. He took three wickets in this over, having Amy Jones caught by Bosh for two runs on the first ball, Ecclestone caught by Bosh for one run on the fifth ball, and Katherine Brunt lbw out on the last ball without even opening an account. England needed 25 runs in two overs, but the team could only manage 18 runs.
On Sunday, February 26th, the highly-anticipated title match between Australia and host South Africa will take place in the picturesque city of Cape Town.
Sunil Yash Kalra is the founder of Indian Sports Fan and Women’s Cricket Historian.