England Women secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening T20I of the ongoing multi-format series, successfully chasing 143 with four balls to spare at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London, on Sunday, 24 November, 2024.
The nail-biting encounter showcased grit and determination from both sides, keeping fans captivated until the very end.
Winning the toss and electing to field first, England put South Africa on the back foot early. The Proteas captain, Laura Wolvaardt, reached a historic milestone during her knock of 22, becoming the first South African woman to surpass 2,000 T20 International runs, but her premature departure – bowled by Charlie Dean – left South Africa at 35/1 in the Power Play.
Tazmin Brits (15) and Anneke Bosch (18) showed flashes of brilliance, but Sophie Eccleston and Freya Kemp curtailed their momentum. A collapse saw Suné Luus depart for a duck, with South Africa slipping to 64/4.
Annerie Dercksen (26*) and Nadine de Klerk (29*), came to the rescue, finishing the innings with an unbeaten 42-run stand to lift the Proteas to a defendable 142/5 in their 20 overs. Nondumiso Shangase contributed a useful 16, before falling to Sarah Glenn’s sharp bowling.
England’s attack was spearheaded by Charlie Dean, who finished with 2/21, while Eccleston 1/18 and Kemp 1/15 delivered economical spells to restrict the Proteas.
The chase was anything but straightforward for England. Early breakthroughs from Nadine de Klerk and Eliz-Mari Marx saw England reeling at 35/2 in the fifth over. De Klerk bowled Danielle Wyatt-Hodge for 11, while Marx dismissed Maia Bouchier for 20, with a pinpoint delivery.
Natalie Sciver-Brunt (59) then took charge of the innings, playing a match-winning knock. Displaying class and composure, she anchored England’s innings even as wickets fell around her. Sophia Dunkley (4), Heather Knight (1), and Amy Jones (31) departed at crucial moments, adding to the tension of the chase.
Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal in the penultimate over, caught by Nonkululeko Mlaba off Marx, added late drama, but Freya Kemp (5*) and Sophie Eccleston (0*) held their nerve to take England across the line with four balls to spare.
Eliz-Mari Marx stood out for South Africa with her outstanding figures of 3/19, while Nadine de Klerk (2/20) and Shangase (1/20) offered excellent support.
The Proteas fought valiantly, but England’s depth proved decisive as they clinched the win and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Fans now eagerly await the second T20I, where South Africa will look to even the score in this electrifying contest, at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Wednesday 27 November.
Fixtures for the South Africa vs England T20I Series against England from 24 to 30 November, 2024
Sun, 24 November: 1st T20I: England win by 4 Wickets (With 4 balls rem., at Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)
Wed, 27 November, 18h00: 2nd T20I: South Africa vs England (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Sat, 30 November, 18h00: 3rd T20I: South Africa vs England (SuperSport Park, Centurion)
IWC ODI Series
Wed, 4 December, 14h00: 1st IWC ODI: South Africa vs England (Kimberley Oval, Kimberley)
Sun, 8 December, 10h00: 2nd Black Day ODI: South Africa vs England (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban)
Wed, 11 December, 14h00: 3rd IWC ODI: South Africa vs England (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Only Test
Sunday, 15 December to Wednesday, 18 December, 10h00: Only Test: South Africa vs England (Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein)
South Africa Starting XI
Laura Wolvaardt (C)
Tazmin Brits
Anneke Bosch
Suné Luus
Annerie Dercksen
Nondumiso Shangase
Nadine de Klerk
Sinalo Jafta (WK)
Eliz-Mari Marx
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Ayanda Hlubi
England Starting XI
Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Maia Bouchier
Sophia Dunkley
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Heather Knight (C)
Amy Jones (WK)
Freya Kemp
Sophie Ecclestone
Charlie Dean
Sarah Glenn
Lauren Bell
Main Photo Caption: The Proteas Women’s batting innings was build around Annerie Dercksen’s solid innings of 26 not-out. South Africa lost top-order batters early after being put in to bat by England, who chased down the 143-run target with 4 balls to spare to win the opening encounter of the 3-match T20I Series by 4 wickets, at the Buffalo Park Stadium in East London on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Eliz-Mari Marx stood out for South Africa with her outstanding figures of 3/19. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 3 Caption: Dercksen’s and Nondumiso Shangase compiled the inning’s second-best partnership, before Nadine de Klerk and Derksen finished the overs out. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 4 Caption: Nadine de Klerk’s contributions with the ball and with the bat were indispensable to the home side’s brave cause.. Photo: Cricket SA
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