SOUTH Africa has stunned the more fancied English to win its semi-final at the T20 World Cup by six runs and progress to its first ever tournament decider.
After choosing to bat first, South Africa made its highest total of the tournament thus far in 4/164.
A 96-run opening stance between Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt really set up the innings, and despite a bit of a wobble towards the end it did not matter as the hard work had already been done. The two openers ultimately finished as the two top scorers, with Brits making 68 while Wolvaardt finished on 53.
Meanwhile for the English, Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Lauren Bell picked up the other wicket. In reply the English made a pretty decent start with a 53 run opening partnership in the first five overs, but the last three overs was where things really started to fall apart for the English.
After they lost Natalie Sciver-Brunt at 4/132, they then lost 3/8 inside 11 balls. Perhaps without that mini collapse they may have reached the target, but the world will never know. Sciver-Brunt was ultimately the top scorer with 40, but only she and three other batters made a double digit score. Everyone else not only failed to reach double figures but also failed to outscore the extras tally of 13.
Meanwhile for South Africa Ayabonga Khaka topped the wicket tally with four, while Shabnim Ismail picked up three and Nadine de Klerk picked up one.
South Africa is going to have to keep going with tits giant-killing ways, with their opponent in the final being none other than Australia. However if it can defy the odds and make history again it would certainly cap off a memorable home tournament for the Proteas.
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