England secured a series-clinching 36-run victory over South Africa in the second women’s T20I in Benoni on Wednesday.
England posted an imposing total of 204-4 at Willowmoore Park, powered by Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s scintillating 78 off 45 balls (15 fours, one six) and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 67 off 43 (nine fours, one six).
Spinner Sarah Glenn (4-20) then spearheaded the visitors’ bowling attack to restrict the Proteas Women to 168-6.
After opting to bowl first, South Africa struck early through Ayanda Hlubi (2-19), who removed Maia Bouchier (nine) and Sophia Dunkley (nought) her first over.
England’s experienced duo of Wyatt-Hodge and Sciver-Brunt steered their team to 48-2 at the end of the powerplay, with Wyatt-Hodge going on to register her 17th T20I half-century, while Sciver-Brunt played the perfect supporting role as the pair built a formidable 112-run partnership.
The Proteas Women got a breakthrough in the 13th over when Nadine de Klerk (2-36) dismissed Wyatt-Hodge, but Sciver-Brunt continued to dominate, reaching her second consecutive fifty of the series.
Together with Heather Knight (26), Sciver-Brunt added 54 runs for the fourth wicket, taking England to 181-3 before Knight fell to De Klerk.
Late contributions from Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones (15*) propelled England to 204-4.
The Proteas Women were put under immediate pressure when Tazmin Brits fell without scoring in the first over of their run chase, dismissed by Sciver-Brunt (1-32).
Laura Wolvaardt (25) and Faye Tunnicliffe (22) offered some resistance, taking the hosts to 30-1 after six overs.
However, England’s bowlers struck back, with Glenn and Charlie Dean (1-27) removing Tunnicliffe and Wolvaardt to leave South Africa at 66-3 in the 10th over.
Annerie Dercksen injected some momentum into the chase with a quick-fire 24, including two fours and two sixes, but Glenn’s brilliance with the ball derailed the home side’s progress.
Glenn dismissed Dercksen and Nondumiso Shangase (nought) in consecutive deliveries, reducing South Africa to 86-5 in the 12th over.
Chloé Tryon (30) and De Klerk (32*) combined for a 43-run partnership, but Glenn claimed her fourth wicket by dismissing Tryon, leaving the Proteas with too much to do.
Late cameos from De Klerk and Sinalo Jafta (17*) saw South Africa finish on 168-6.
The third and final T20I will take place on Saturday in Centurion (6pm).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
