England Excellence Trumps Momentum SA

England women’s skipper, Charlotte Edwards, played a brilliant 75-run knock to lead her side to a 42-run win and an unassailable, 2-0 lead over the Momentum Proteas in the second women’s Twenty20 (T20) international at Northampton on Wednesday.

England posted a hefty 141/3 at the end of their innings, after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Edwards scored her match-winning 75 runs from 61 balls, keeping the ship on course when her partnerships were disturbed.

The hosts made a good start, posting 45 runs before Lauren Winfield was stumped thanks to quick moves by Trisha Chetty off Dané van Niekerk (1/13) at the end of the seventh over. Sarah Taylor (15) added 38 runs to the board with her captain for the second wicket, speeding up the run rate before she was sent back to the hut by Moseline Daniels.

The bowler struck for the last time when Natalie Sciver was caught by Shabnim Ismail for 14 in the 17th over, finishing with 2/28.

Edwards completed a second consecutive not-out score, including back-to-back half centuries against South Africa.

The visitors started strong, bouncing back well from the early loss of Lizelle Lee (4) in the second over. Van Niekerk and skipper, Mignon du Preez shared a 34-run, second-wicket stand off 30 balls before the latter was caught by Sciver off Danielle Hazell for 15 in the seventh.

England’s experience shone through however, as wickets began to tumble after the loss of van Niekerk in the 13th over.

South Africa were 71/3 at that point and very quickly lost the rest of their wickets for just 28 runs. Jenny Gunn was the chief destroyer, taking three wickets for 13 and claiming her 50th T20 international wicket with the dismissal of Suné Luus (3) in the 15th over.

Sarah Taylor was another standout player for England, showing off her skills with the gloves with a hat-trick of stumpings removing Ismail (4), Chetty (6) and Marizanne Kapp (27) to see South Africa all out for 99 runs in 18.3 overs.

The third match will take place at Edgebaston on Sunday, 7 September and will be broadcast live on SuperSport 5/HD from 11:15 (SA time).

Photo 1 caption: Momentum Proteas keeper Trisha Chetty pictured at the crease with Marizanne Kapp in pursuit of the asking total of 142 against England women at Northampton, England, on Wednesday evening. England beat South Africa by 42-runs, in a performance which demonstrated a much-improved visitors’ effort. The sides play their final T20I at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Sunday. Photo: Screengrab of the Supersport match broadcast

(With editing by gsport)