The England women defeated the Proteas women by four wickets at the Wanderers on Sunday, to win the three-match T20 international series 2-1.
After beating the visitors by 17 runs (D/L method) on Friday, the Proteas were hoping to upset their opponents and complete the turnaround with a series victory, but it wasn’t to be, as the English matched their ODI success.
The foundations for England’s victory were laid thanks to a poor start from the Proteas, who crashed to 6-3 after losing the toss and batting first. Trisha Chetty was stumped trying to play a wide delivery just two balls in, before Dane van Niekerk, the hero from the second match in Cape Town, fell the next over. Anya Shrubsole was then on a hattrick as Marizanne Kapp was bowled for a golden duck.
An excellent 89-run partnership between skipper Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee brought them back into it, before Du Preez was run out for 39. Lee smashed eight fours and two sixes for her career-best 69, eventually settling for 131-4.
The first over of England’s innings saw plenty of action, as Amy Jones hit three boundaries before edging one behind to Chetty for Shabnim Ismael to have the last laugh.
Skipper Charlotte Edwards (2) didn’t last long either, but Sarah Taylor increased her credentials as one of the best batsmen in the business with a third consecutive fifty. Her 40-ball 60 proved pivotal, as brisk contributions around her from Heather Knight (25) and Tammy Beaumont (21) allowed the side to cross the line with four-and-a-half overs still to spare.
