by England began their multi-format tour of South Africa with a four-wicket victory in the first T20 that even their captain Heather Knight admitted was “disjointed”, building on a calm and collected half-century from Nat Sciver- Brunt to get on the line.
Chasing 143, England had struggled to reach 65 for four and needed almost 10 runs from the last six but a messy 22 runs from young seamer Ayanda Hlubi – playing only her third match T20 international – turned the match around. on the header, as Amy Jones hit a four and a six without consecutive balls to help Sciver-Brunt propel England towards their target.
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Jones was beaten by Nondumiso Shangase in the next match, while Sciver-Brunt survived a close decision before against Nonkululeko Mlaba, which was ruled by the referee on impact. But Hlbui’s damage had already been done, and by the time Sciver-Brunt, who scored 59 from 54 balls, was caught at the back square, England needed just one point from the five last balls – a simple formality.
Knight had vehemently defended his team on the eve of the series in the face of heavy criticism following their early elimination from the World Cup – adopting the slightly odd mantra that England did not need to “uproot trees » – but admitted their victory in Sunday’s match was far from perfect.
Knight said: “It was a little disjointed. It’s really nice to get a win, but there are a few things we can improve on. Nat’s innings intelligence was brilliant, aided by that change in momentum from Amy. This brought the match back in our favor.
England may have drawn first blood, but their chaotic rise to prominence in the series – played by Alice Capsey going from ‘abandoned’ to ‘reserve wicketkeeper’ in the space of six days, after a series of injuries in England which resulted in Bess Heath being sent home with a fractured thumb – sometimes translated onto the field.
Firstly, they let South Africa add 42 runs at the death after a difficult mid-innings, allowing them to post a much higher total than they should have been. Then, several England batters handed South Africa their wickets on a platter: Maia Bouchier was bowled attempting the backhand, while Sophia Dunkley raced into the keeper’s hands.
When Knight was bowled by Eliz-Mari Marx off the first ball after a drink, the nerves were high; Had South Africa not played this series without their two best bowlers – Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka are both “rested” – the result might well have been different.
