England lose thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final to South Africa
Heartbreak for England as they lose thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final to South Africa by just SIX runs as Heather Knight’s side fall short of 165 target, with hosts now facing Australia in Sunday’s showpiece
- England fell short of the T20 World Cup final, losing by six runs to South Africa
- Heather Knight’s side collapsed midway through their chase of 165 in Cape Town
- As a result, South Africa made their first ever final in men’s and women’s cricket
England’s hopes of reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup final were dashed by a narrow six-run defeat against South Africa in Cape Town on Friday.
Heather Knight’s side lost a flurry of late wickets in their chase of 165 to win, collapsing from 131 for three to 140 for seven.
England were left to rue missed opportunities, having started their chase in dominant fashion. Opening pair Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley launched the chase in typically explosive fashion, chalking off 50 quickfire runs at the start of the innings to stand them in good stead.
However, unlike South Africa, who lost their first wicket in the 14th over and just four in total, England wickets tumbled towards the end, shifting the momentum firmly in favour of the hosts.
Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone and Katherine Sciver-Brunt quickly collapsed in a game-changing over from Ayabonga Khaka, leaving captain Knight the difficult task of knocking off the remaining runs with England’s lower order.
South Africa reached Sunday’s T20 World Cup final with a thrilling win over England on Friday
South Africa celebrate Shabnim Ismail’s vital wicket of captain Heather Knight in the final over
Sophia Dunkley helped get the chase off to a fast start, but England toppled later in the innings
England needed 13 going into the final over, but South Africa’s victory was all but confirmed when Knight was bowled with three balls remaining, for 31 from 25 balls.
Shabnim Ismail bowled the final six deliveries of the match, finishing with three for 27, as South Africa made history by reaching their first World Cup final in both men’s and women’s cricket.
As South Africa took the match to England early, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on a superb 96-run opening partnership to kickstart the dramatic affair.
Ecclestone took three of England’s four wickets to limit South Africa’s total, which marked their highest score at the World Cup so far.
England had been in dominant form ahead of the semi-final and were favourites to advance, having swept past Pakistan, India, Ireland and West Indies with relative ease.
All-rounder Sophie Ecclestone cuts a dejected figure as England crash out of the competition
Tazmin Brits, who knocked 68 runs and made four impressive catches, won player of the match
Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn console each other after England’s devastating World Cup exit
They were 53-0 inside the powerplay and had knocked off 131 runs for three wickets after just 16 overs, before the devastating collapse.
Brits, who claimed player of the match after impressively knocking 68 runs from 55 balls, made an immense contribution for South Africa in the field with an astonishing four catches.
Australia booked their place in the final after narrowly beating India by five runs on Thursday.
The Proteas are now bidding to deny the reigning champions their third successive title, which would be their sixth overall, in Sunday’s final at Newlands.
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