South Africa vs England: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s fifty steers tourists to opening win
It was England’s first appearance since their disastrous group stage exit at the T20 World Cup last October and they played a more conservative style rather than the extreme aggression that head coach Jon Lewis was trying to encourage.
But victory is the most effective form of currency in silencing critics, and they did that with ease – starting with a solid (if not spectacular) all-round bowling performance.
Their only specialist seamer Lauren Bell did struggle, conceding 46 balls in four overs, and leg-spinner Sarah Glenn also struggled to find a rhythm, but E Creston and Dean are back to their best after tricky individual World Cup campaigns.
Dean got the big break from South Africa captain Wolvaardt, deceiving the opener with a brilliant quick pass before being caught by experienced all-rounder Luus at midfield .
Ecclestone’s only wicket came against England in the opener and she was stumped, but she conceded just 18 balls in four overs and her confidence is back – a sight to behold Will make England fans happy.
With a record of 64-4 and most of the senior batsmen back in the dugout, South Africa seemed destined to collapse, but the energetic Dirksen ran brilliantly between the wickets, with Nondumiso Shangase Significant runs were accumulated in the 36 overs before de Klerk gave the Proteas a decent total of four fours in her entertaining cameo.
There were still a few mistakes made on the field, with Seaver Brunt simply catching Bose in the 13th over, which ended up costing just five runs, but these are things England will be hoping to rectify in this multi-match series small mistakes. format series and before the start of the Women’s Ashes in January.
