Nat Sciver-Brunt fires England towards World Cup semi-finals
Nat Sciver-Brunt is considered by many to be the best all-rounder in the world and she proved why by playing the innings of the tournament to help England put one foot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Sciver-Brunt produced an innings that no one else in the competition has so far been able to replicate to guide England to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa.
On a wicket where teams have struggled to score quickly, she arrived at the crease with 75 runs needed to win from 11 overs – and dragged England home with a fluid and powerful 48 not out off 36 balls.
“Two wins out of two, we are pretty happy,” Sciver-Brunt said. “We have got a five-day gap now until our next game [against Scotland] so will take that time to reset and then go again.
“We were a little bit behind the rate when I came in, but I knew if we ran well – and that is something we have identified as something we really want to do – and me and Danni [Wyatt-Hodge] put a partnership together that was the plan.”
The fixture was a repeat of the 2023 World Cup semi-final, but it was not a repeat result. Eighteen months ago South Africa shocked England in the last four, a result that captain Heather Knight has since accepted stays with the group to this day.
The same big-match tension was present at Sharjah, where conditions were cooler and runs a touch easier to come by.
South Africa’s total of 124 had been the highest scored at the ground so far. That they had not made more was thanks to a superb bowling effort from Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn, who combined for three wickets and conceded just 33 runs from their eight overs. Ecclestone, in particular, was on top form, clean bowling both of South Africa’s best players in Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp and completing her set of four overs without conceding a boundary.
“She’s a bowler who can bowl wherever in the innings,” Sciver-Brunt said of Ecclestone. “Saving her for when batters really want to get after her, we’ve learnt that’s really difficult to do and she executed really well.”
At the halfway stage, the match was in the balance, before it tipped dramatically in South Africa’s favour thanks to an inspired Kapp. Starting with a maiden over, Kapp had figures of one for five after her first three overs and should have had Alice Capsey dismissed third ball, only for Anneke Bosch to put down a simple chance at point.
It was a drop that would prove costly. After five overs England were on just 16 runs, but the shackles were broken in the sixth, as Chloe Tryon’s left-arm spin went for 12.
It was the boost England needed, as for the second match running Wyatt-Hodge played a crucial knock, although this time in a supporting role alongside Sciver-Brunt.
“It is funny because she has been very frustrated with both the innings she has played,” Sciver-Brunt said of her team-mate, who has contributed with 41 off 40 and 43 off 43 in her two matches so far. “Because she is used to being on 70 off 40, but the innings she is playing for us are so important for us and she is hitting the ball into areas that only she can.”
With South Africa hunting for a wicket and England’s required-run-rate above seven, the Proteas brought Kapp back for the 14th over with Sciver-Brunt on strike. Two runs were scored off the first two balls, before Kapp twice missed her length in the remaining four balls of the over, both of which were seized upon by Sciver-Brunt as she pounded both deliveries to the legside boundary. South Africa’s greatest threat had been conquered and England were one step closer to home.Those were the defining balls of the match.
“Their seamers bowled a lot of pace-off balls, which bounced quite a bit,” explained Sciver-Brunt, “so I was able to use that bounce and get it to the legside.”
Wyatt-Hodge would depart with 11 runs required from 12 balls, but the calm head of Sciver-Brunt meant there would be no room for an England wobble. Four runs were required off the final six balls and after one dot, Sciver-Brunt launched the following delivery over cover and away to the boundary. The win puts England in pole position to reach the knockouts as the only team with a 100 per cent record in Group B – and they have Sciver-Brunt to thank.
06:17 PM BST
The winning moment
England win by 7 wickets against South Africa 🍾
What a shot by Nat Sciver-Brunt to win the game 🏏 pic.twitter.com/t0QEiTgtKe— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 7, 2024
06:12 PM BST
Quotes from England captain Heather Knight
“I am really pleased with that performance. The way we controlled the middle overs when they were batting. The pitch was a bit better than the other day but it was still not an easy chase. We controlled the chase well; Nat [Sciver-Brunt] was a cool, calm head as was Danni [Wyatt-Hodge].
“They are the games I love to be captain because you feel like you can make a real difference. We bowled really well and backed up what we did the other night. Sophie [Ecclestone] was back to her best. I was really happy with our fielding, which has been an area of focus for us.
“Danni was brilliant, smart. Her and Nat had a great partnership. They ran well between the wickets.
“There is a bit of time to get away and experience Dubai before we play Scotland on Sunday.”
06:07 PM BST
The thoughts of South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt
“We are very disappointed. I think 10 to 20 more runs with the bat could have been interesting. We did not take our chances in the field but the bowlers did well. We have to tighten up in the other two areas.
“I did not feel the pitch was as slow as the first few games here. When we started batting we spoke about 140. We lost our way a little bit after the powerplay for a period. We could have started the big-hitting a bit earlier.
“I do not think you can ask for much more in the powerplay from our bowlers. The control from our spinners could have been a bit better. Their batters had all the shots and it is difficult to set fields.
“The next games are must-wins and will be tough so we need to be on our A-game.”
06:01 PM BST
Player of the match; Sophie Ecclestone
“It is quite exciting to keep breaking personal records. I try to keep it simple and enjoy my cricket. It is important to always have a smile on my face.
“It is always great to against the world’s best. To get Wolvaardt and Kapp out were two big wickets. I am glad we got the win.
“All of our spinners are high-class players and we work as a unit.
“Conditions are so different out here. We have adapted well. Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt batted really well tonight. We need to continue our momentum and play each game as it comes.”
05:58 PM BST
Next match
England are back in action next Sunday against Scotland in Sharjah again.
South Africa are next in action also against Scotland on Wednesday in Dubai.
05:56 PM BST
Group B table
England: played two, won two, 4pts
West Indies: played two, won one, 2pts
South Africa: played two, won one, 2pts
Bangladesh: played two, won one, 2pts
Scotland: played two, lost two, 0pts
05:53 PM BST
England win
Sciver-Brunt gives herself room to go in-to-out over the offside and she hits it away for four to win the match. England have won by seven wickets with four balls to spare.
WHAT A WIN!!! 🔥
2 from 2 in the #T20WorldCup ✅#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/Aa4IDWDdJy— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 7, 2024
05:52 PM BST
Four needed from five
First ball is a dot.
05:51 PM BST
OVER 19: ENG 121/3 (Sciver-Brunt 44 Knight 0)
Captain Heather Knight is in at number five. Fine-leg is up in the circle and Sciver-Brunt swats it away for four. England are so close now. Just five more needed.
Only one more run comes from the over and England will need four off the final over. Sciver-Brunt will be on strike.
05:47 PM BST
Wicket
Wyatt-Hodge st Jafta b Mlaba 43 That was not the time to lose your wicket. Just as it seemed England were cruising towards victory, she is deceived by a slow, wide ball and is stumped. England should still win and Wyatt-Hodge has batted well again tonight as she did on Saturday. 11 more runs needed off the final two overs. FOW 114/3
05:42 PM BST
OVER 17: ENG 107/2 (Sciver-Brunt 36 Wyatt-Hodge 38)
Another drop! We have seen plenty of those today from both sides. This time it is the South Africa captain Wolvaardt, who drops Wyatt-Hodge at cover. Wolvaardt has now dropped two catches today.
Sciver-Brunt then comes across her stumps and sweeps fine for four.
England are closing in on victory here.
England need 18 runs from 18 balls.
05:38 PM BST
OVER 16: ENG 101/2 (Sciver-Brunt 31 Wyatt-Hodge 37)
Mlaba bowls a full toss which Wyatt-Hodge sweeps away for two.
A clever reverse paddle from Sciver-Brunt brings her two after good running.
England bring up the 100 and the 50 partnership at the same time.
05:35 PM BST
OVER 15: ENG 94/2 (Sciver-Brunt 28 Wyatt-Hodge 33)
With this partnership ticking along, South Africa turn to their premier bowler; Kapp. This will be her final over so how do England play it? Be careful, knowing she cannot bowl another over after this or go after her?
Good running from England as they get two into the legside. With boundaries not that easy to come by running between the wickets is even more vital.
Kapp drops too short and Sciver-Brunt punishes her by powerfully pulling away for four. Off the final ball of the over Sciver-Brunt pulls away for four again and that could be the big over that England were looking for.
Five overs left and Kapp is bowled out.
England need 31 runs from 30 balls.
Incredible batting from Nat Sciver-Brunt 🔥
A BIG over for England 👏 pic.twitter.com/hANC0zQSKa— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 7, 2024
05:30 PM BST
OVER 14: ENG 82/2 (Sciver-Brunt 17 Wyatt-Hodge 32)
Tryon is back into the attack, despite being pretty expensive so far. This partnership is going along nicely for England but they will know a wicket could completely change things.
England need 43 runs from 36 balls.
05:26 PM BST
OVER 13: ENG 76/2 (Sciver-Brunt 12 Wyatt-Hodge 31)
Sciver-Brunt gets the sweep out and it goes high into the air but falls safely.
Wyatt-Hodge then skies one down the ground and again luckily for England it lands safely.
This time Wyatt-Hodge executes much better and, with mid-off in the circle, she hits over the top for four.
Brits then nearly pulls off a diving catch at deep mid-wicket but cannot hold on.
What a dramatic over!
05:23 PM BST
OVER 12: ENG 66/2 (Sciver-Brunt 9 Wyatt-Hodge 24)
de Klerk concedes just four singles from her second over.
England need 59 runs from 48 balls.
05:20 PM BST
OVER 11: ENG 62/2 (Sciver-Brunt 7 Wyatt-Hodge 22)
Khaka is brought back into the attack. Sciver-Brunt cuts behind square on the offside for four.
There are cries of ‘catch it!’ as the ball flies into the air off Wyatt-Hodge’s bat but de Klerk cannot get to it in time at deep backward square-leg.
05:13 PM BST
OVER 10: ENG 55/2 (Sciver-Brunt 2 Wyatt-Hodge 21)
Wyatt-Hodge scoops for two down to fine-leg. This feels like the crucial partnership in this match.
We are at the halfway stage of the run chase and it is time for drinks.
It’s on a knife’s edge. Whoever wins has one foot in the semi-final, but defeat hurts England more than their opponents. South Africa have already played the West Indies, the other strong side in the group, and finish against Bangladesh and Scotland. Whereas England still have the West Indies to play, which if they lose tonight, could effectively become a knockout.
05:10 PM BST
OVER 9: ENG 51/2 (Sciver-Brunt 0 Wyatt-Hodge 13)
Nat Sciver-Brunt is next in and gets off the mark first ball with a single.
05:09 PM BST
Wicket
Capsey c&b de Klerk 19 England had just passed 50 and were building momentum but Capsey hits it straight back to de Klerk. England’s issue the other day was losing wickets at regular intervals. FOW 50/2
05:04 PM BST
OVER 8: ENG 40/1 (Capsey 18 Wyatt-Hodge 13)
With mid-off in the circle, Capsey uses her feet really well and hits in-to-out for four. Great shot. England are slightly behind where South Africa were at this stage of their innings but still in touch.
England need 85 runs from 72 balls.
05:00 PM BST
OVER 7: ENG 33/1 (Capsey 12 Wyatt-Hodge 12)
Nonkululeko Mlaba is into the attack for the first time. Capsey shows some ingenuity to scoop over her head for two.
04:56 PM BST
OVER 6: ENG 28/1 (Capsey 9 Wyatt-Hodge 11)
Chloe Tryon is into the attack and nearly gets a wicket first ball. Wyatt-Hodge had her heart in her mouth as Wolvaardt gets her hands to a catch at mid-off but cannot hold on. Two drops in two balls.
Next ball Capsey sweeps over square leg, who is inside the circle, for four. She sweeps again, this time in front of square and is rewarded with the same result.
That is the end of the powerplay.
04:53 PM BST
OVER 5: ENG 16/1 (Capsey 0 Wyatt-Hodge 8)
Alice Capsey is in at three, immediately using her feet against Kapp.
Dropped catch! Capsey tries to cut away but only finds Bosch at point, but she cannot hold on. That should have been taken and Kapp is annoyed.
A wicket maiden nonetheless. One over remaining in the powerplay.
Ooph, tough tough start for England. The powerplay has been the best time to score runs at Sharjah and England have gone nowhere. Bouchier’s innings was so far from what we saw of her on Friday.
What’s more, the Saffas have done their best to help England, dropping both Capsey and Bouchier.
04:49 PM BST
Wicket
Bouchier LBW Kapp 8 Kapp will bowl her third straight over. They are yet to turn to spin yet. But South Africa are rewarded for sticking with arguably their best bowler as she traps Bouchier in front. Bouchier came across her stumps and missed. England review but it is umpire’s call so the on-field decision of out stands. FOW 16/1
04:46 PM BST
OVER 4: ENG 16/0 (Bouchier 8 Wyatt-Hodge 8)
England come through for a single and Bosch hits the stumps. South Africa think it it out but we only need to see one replay to know Bouchier was in.
England are starting to run well between the wickets, which is going to be vital in this run chase.
Wyatt-Hodge advances down the wicket and hits over mid-off, who is in the circle, for four. England know this powerplay is really important.
04:41 PM BST
OVER 3: ENG 8/0 (Bouchier 6 Wyatt-Hodge 2)
This is a real problem for England. With every dot ball the required rate is going up. But Bouchier responds emphatically at the end of Kapp’s second over by coming down the ground and hitting over mid-on for four. That is what she needed.
04:38 PM BST
OVER 2: ENG 3/0 (Bouchier 2 Wyatt-Hodge 1)
Ayabonga Khaka will open the bowling from the other end so it is double seam to start. Wyatt-Hodge pushes into the legside for England’s first run. They need to be a little careful that the rate does not rise too much, too quickly.
Bouchier is struggling to get going here. She has faced 10 off the first 12 balls and she is very lucky not to be out off the final ball of the second over. She comes down the ground and gets an inside edge that falls just short of Sinalo Jafta behind the stumps. It goes away for two and Bouchier is off the mark in fortuitous circumstances.
04:33 PM BST
OVER 1: ENG 0/0 (Bouchier 0 Wyatt-Hodge 0)
Marizanne Kapp will open the bowling for South Africa as they look to defend their total of 124.
Second ball Bouchier nearly chops onto her own stumps as he tries to punch off the back foot through the offside.
A slightly nervy start from Bouchier and it is a maiden over.
04:27 PM BST
Second innings
Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge batted well the other night for England and they are going to need to so again tonight as the powerplay will likely be the best time to bat.
They are out in the middle and we are ready for the run chase.
04:19 PM BST
Sarah Glenn speaking after the first innings
“It was really fun out there. We played here the over night so knew how to play on that surface. We executed our plans well with the ball.
“Our communication on and off the field has been effective as to how you bowl on this pitch.
“We have to do more of the basics with the bat. Hopefully we can go out and execute.”
04:18 PM BST
Verdict at the interval
Sophie Ecclestone the star there. 2-15 from her four overs with not a single boundary coming off her bowling.
South Africa finish on 124, which is the highest score we’ve seen at Sharjah so far. But! There’s a sense the wicket is a bit quicker tonight and has been easier to score. I know this is my job, but I honestly don’t know who is the favourite at the moment.
04:15 PM BST
England need 125 to win
Dercksen has hit a few important boundaries in her short innings and she picks Sciver-Brunt up over mid-wicket for four. She then gets very lucky and an inside edge is so close to her stumps but instead runs away for four.
Off the final ball Sciver-Brunt bowls a dot ball and South Africa end on 124/6 off their 20 overs. England will need 125 runs to make it two wins from two.
04:12 PM BST
Wicket
Luus run out Sciver-Brunt 1 Sciver-Brunt is on and England get a wicket off the first ball of the final over. Dercksen blasts it back and Sciver-Brunt sticks her foot. It takes a deflection and crashes into the stumps, with Luus out of her ground backing up. FOW 114/6
04:11 PM BST
OVER 19: RSA 114/5 (Dercksen 11 Luus 1)
Sune Luus joins Dercksen in the middle. Great over from Ecclestone; the wicket of Kapp and just four runs.
04:08 PM BST
Wicket
Kapp b Ecclestone 26 Another big breakthrough from Ecclestone. Kapp comes down the ground but misses and Ecclestone cleans up. First she got Wolvaardt, now she gets another dangerous player in Kapp. FOW 110/5
04:06 PM BST
OVER 18: RSA 110/4 (Dercksen 8 Kapp 26)
Annerie Dercksen is in at six. South Africa bring up their 100.
Dercksen, off just her third ball, deposits Smith into the stands for six over deep mid-wicket.
04:02 PM BST
Wicket
Tryon b Dean 2 Kapp goes back over Dean’s head and gets four. Every run is vital for South Africa. England know from their game here the other day anything over 120 will be tough to chase.
Next ball Kapp picks a great gap at wide mid-on and gets it between the converging fielders for four more.
But Dean has the last laugh off the final ball of the over as she sneaks one past the bat of Tryon. FOW 99/4
03:58 PM BST
OVER 16: RSA 89/3 (Tryon 1 Kapp 14)
Chloe Tryon has joined Kapp at the crease.
03:57 PM BST
Wicket
Wolvaardt b Ecclestone 42 Big wicket for England. Ecclestone has bowled well today and is rewarded with her first wicket of the match. Wolvaardt tries to smash through the legside and misses, much to Ecclestone’s delight. FOW 88/3
03:53 PM BST
OVER 15: RSA 85/2 (Wolvaardt 42 Kapp 11)
We have not seen much seam up in this innings but Sciver-Brunt is on for her third over. Kapp gives herself room to hit over the offside and drills it over wide mid-off for four. This partnership feels really crucial; if South Africa go well with these two they could reach a total that will be very difficult for England to chase.
Seam does not seem the way to go and you would imagine South Africa are going to lean very heavily on their spinners.
03:49 PM BST
OVER 14: RSA 75/2 (Wolvaardt 40 Kapp 3)
Marizanne Kapp is in at four and immediately England have a great chance of a run out. Kapp wanted two and Wolvaardt was slow to react. That should have been a third wicket for England but again their fielding has not been on point today.
It’s a bit sim-game this. We’re all waiting for the bit where the first team gets to around 115 and then we see if it’s enough. England doing well so far but Marizanne Kapp has a lot of power and is dangerous.
03:47 PM BST
Wicket
Bosch b Glenn 18 Bosch is inventive and she is rewarded with South Africa’s first boundary in over 40 balls! She reverse padels down to third-man for four. But she is gone next ball as she continues to try to be inventive. She tries to scoop over her head but misses. The old adage of ‘You miss, I hit!’. FOW 71/2
03:45 PM BST
OVER 13: RSA 67/1 (Wolvaardt 39 Bosch 14)
South Africa’s release shot is either coming down the ground or coming across their stumps to sweep over the leg side but they have not had too much success with either.
Seven off the 13th.
03:42 PM BST
OVER 12: RSA 60/1 (Wolvaardt 37 Bosch 9)
Even though England are not picking up wickets they are stifling this South African duo.
England think they might have Wolvaardt LBW off the final ball of Glenn’s third over but their appeal is turned down. Hitting outside the line.
03:38 PM BST
OVER 11: RSA 56/1 (Wolvaardt 35 Bosch 7)
Bosch comes across her stumps and attempts a sweep but misses. England go up the appeal but are turned down. They consider a review but opt against one. Hawk-Eye shows it would have been clipping the top of the stumps so the on-field call of not out would have remained.
England have kept decent control of this innings, with Ecclestone’s latest over going for just two.
03:32 PM BST
OVER 10: RSA 54/1 (Wolvaardt 34 Bosch 6)
England have the chance to build the pressure on Bosch, who does not have the same fluency as Wolvaardt. Glenn’s second over goes for just three runs. Off the final ball England have a chance of a run out but cannot it takes as they concede a two that should not have been there.
We reach the halfway stage and it is time for drinks.
03:30 PM BST
OVER 9: RSA 51/1 (Wolvaardt 32 Bosch 5)
Running between the wickets is going to be crucial in this match with boundaries quite hard to come by, especially as the ball gets softer. South Africa bring up their 50 in the ninth over.
Another drop from England. Bosch tries to go down the ground and Ecclestone should take the diving catch at mid-off but she spills the chance. England have spurned a few chances already.
Even stevens so far. Wolvaardt the key. She’s been the first batter all tournament to have seemed to really get the pace of the wicket and attack. But England will be pretty content. They’ve got through the powerplay and can now squeeze the runs to the end.
03:26 PM BST
OVER 8: RSA 45/1 (Wolvaardt 28 Bosch 3)
Sarah Glenn is now introduced. A tight first over from the leg spinner goes for just three runs.
03:23 PM BST
OVER 7: RSA 42/1 (Wolvaardt 26 Bosch 2)
Sophie Ecclestone is into the attack for the first time today and her first ball is a chance. Wolvaardt tries to cut away and it is too close to her. She gets an outside edge but it does not stick in the gloves of Jones. A very tough chance; sometimes they stick, sometimes they do not.
03:20 PM BST
OVER 6: RSA 37/1 (Wolvaardt 22 Bosch 1)
Anneke Bosch comes in at three, the first time she has batted at this World Cup.
Wolvaardt’s strong start to this tournament continues. She opens up the offside again and pierces a narrow gap through wide mid-off for four.
End of the powerplay.
03:17 PM BST
Wicket
Brits c Gibson b Smith 13 The breakthrough for England and that drop from Glenn does not cost them much at all. Brits comes down the ground and, with long-on back on the boundary, she had to get a good connection. She does not and it is a fairly simple catch for Gibson. FOW 31/1
03:16 PM BST
OVER 5: RSA 31/0 (Wolvaardt 17 Brits 13)
Chance dropped! Dean drops quite short and Brits tries to sweep round the corner. Brits gets a top edge and Glenn comes round from short fine-leg. She gets there and it looks like she will make the catch but she cannot hold on. How big a moment could that be?
Off the final ball Wolvaardt gives herself space outside her leg stump and gets it just over the fielders in the circle on the offside. They come back for two.
03:13 PM BST
OVER 4: RSA 28/0 (Wolvaardt 15 Brits 12)
Sciver-Brunt bowled the first over and now returns from the other end. Heather Knight is changing things up to keep the South African duo on their toes.
When England played Bangladesh here the other night, they had a storming powerplay with the bat which proved the difference really in the game so this period is crucial.
Sciver-Brunt drops a little short and Wolvaardt punishes her emphatically through mid-wicket. That was swatted away.
03:10 PM BST
OVER 3: RSA 20/0 (Wolvaardt 9 Brits 10)
We are expecting plenty of spin in this game and already Sciver-Brunt is out of the attack, with Charlie Dean replacing her.
After three straight dot balls, Brits gets onto the back foot and pushes through the offside for a couple. She then comes down the ground and tries to blast it past Dean but gets nothing from it.
It appeared that it would be a tight over from Dean but off the final ball Brits pulls behind square for four. A killer for England that.
03:07 PM BST
OVER 2: RSA 14/0 (Wolvaardt 9 Brits 4)
Linsey Smith will start from the other end and her first ball is put away for four through cover by Wolvaardt for the first boundary of the match. Dean’s effort to chase it down is in vain. Considering how well these two batted in South Africa’s first game, England know an early breakthrough is vital.
England go up for an appeal for LBW but it was not a fully convinced appeal and they opt against a review. It looked like it was sliding down.
03:03 PM BST
OVER 1: RSA 6/0 (Wolvaardt 4 Brits 1)
Nat Sciver-Brunt will open the bowling. A good start for South Africa first ball as Wolvaardt cuts behind square and beats the fielders in the circle. It looked like it was going to race away for four but with a slow outfield they just about come back for three, after some slightly lazy running from the South Africa captain.
Chance for England second ball. Knight places herself at slip and an opportunity comes her way as Sciver-Brunt finds the edge of Brits’ bat from a ball that rises. Knight dives to her right but cannot hold onto the chance.
02:58 PM BST
Here we go
Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits stride out to the middle for South Africa. These two carried their bats in their 10-wicket victory over the West Indies in their opening match. Fun fact; Brits won gold in the javelin at the 2007 World Youth Championships.
Both sides won their opening games so who will maintain their 100% start and who will fall in their second game?
02:56 PM BST
Reminder of the team news
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.
England: Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (captain), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith.
02:53 PM BST
Anthem time
Both sides have emerged onto the field and it is time for the national anthems. I must admit I do like the South African anthem. Passionate to say the least and will almost certainly get you going, although playing in a World Cup should do that.
02:49 PM BST
Big game ahead for England
Looks like it’s going to be the smallest crowd of the competition so far. Reckon we’re talking low three figures. But the music is booming and the pressure of a big-match is in the air. England know this is, in theory, their toughest opponent of the group. Win tonight and they have one foot in the semi’s.
02:47 PM BST
England captain Heather Knight speaking at the toss
“I would’ve had a bat, too. But we know the conditions pretty well now, I think it’ll play pretty much the same.
“We bowled brilliantly [against Bangladesh] so we’ll be looking to do the same and set the tone tonight. It was tricky to bat here the other night so we’ve had a chat about how we go about things, we still want to play our brand of cricket but adjust it to these conditions.
“We’re excited to get going, it’ll be a tough test for us. History won’t play into it, we know they’re a quality side but their opening game was played in different conditions. We’ll have to play our best cricket to win.
02:45 PM BST
Thoughts from the toss
Let’s hear what the captains had to say at the toss, starting with South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt:
“We are batting first because the pitch looks slow and we are hoping to get a total and then defend it.
“It was nice to start with a win in our first group game but this is a big game because the chance to go 2-0 in the competition gets us in a good position.
“What would we like to improve? We were pretty good in our first game without being perfect in all areas so it’s about trying to improve them.”
02:42 PM BST
Everything you need to know
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02:39 PM BST
Teams
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.
England: Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (captain), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith.
England once again very spin heavy.
02:36 PM BST
Both unchanged
Heather Knight admits she would have chosen to bat first had she won the toss. She claims history does not matter after being asked about England’s semi-final defeat to South Africa at the 2023 T20 World Cup. A predictable answer but it is surely impossible for those involved in that defeat last year not to have that memory somewhere in their mind.
Easy update on the team news as both sides are unchanged from their opening games.
02:33 PM BST
South Africa win the toss
And they will bat first, as I thought the winner of the toss would do. Both sides are doing the opposite of what they did in their respective openers.
02:32 PM BST
Time for the toss
Heather Knight and Laura Wolvaardt are out in the middle. The coin goes up...
02:25 PM BST
What to do at the toss?
Five minutes away. If the pitch is anything like what we saw in England’s first game two days ago in Sharjah, it would probably be a smart thing to bat first as these pitches are low and slow and will only get more so as the game goes on. Set a total and put the scoreboard pressure. Not long to find out who wins and what they will do.
02:12 PM BST
Revenge for England?
Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of England’s second T20 World Cup group game against South Africa in Sharjah. For England they will be seeking revenge after South Africa ended their dreams of winning the T20 World Cup last year, losing by six runs at Newlands last year at the semi-final stage.
England began their campaign with a 21-run victory over Bangladesh on Saturday, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge top scoring with 41 and both Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean taking two wickets as England’s bowlers led Heather Knight’s side to victory.
Smith, who last played in a T20 World Cup in 2018, believes that the players who were involved in that defeat to South Africa last year will have learned from that experience.
“It’s obviously spoken about quite a fair bit that game. I think the girls took a lot of learning from it.
“We’re just looking forward to taking them on again in a World Cup. Obviously, they had a really strong win the other day and we’re going to have to be at our best again to take the fight to them and hopefully get another win.”
Smith took two wickets in the opening match against Bangladesh and she is delighted to be back involved at a World Cup for England.
“It was obviously six years ago now I think, so a long time. I took a bit of time away from the England setup, which I think just helped me grow and do a lot of self-reflection and think about how I wanted to be and how I wanted to play the game.
“It was tough, but I knew I always wanted to get back in an England shirt and kind of do myself a bit of justice. I felt like I didn’t play very well six years ago so it was nice to obviously get another chance to do that in a World Cup.”
England’s total of 118 was the lowest they have ever defended at a T20 World Cup but scores have been fairly low at Sharjah on a low and slow surface.
South Africa started with a comprehensive victory over the West Indies as they cruised to a 10-wicket win, chasing 119 with ease on Friday. That game was in Dubai so that could be an advantage for England, having beaten Bangladesh in Sharjah, where today’s game takes place. Can England make it two wins from two or will South Africa do so?
The match begins at 3pm UK time.
