Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon
Images by Michael Sheehan/Gallo
England defeated the Proteas in their build-up to the Women’s T20 World Cup despite a fiery half-century from Chloe Tryon on Monday at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch.
Looking for a competitive 247 for victory, South Africa fell 17 runs short with their final warm-up scheduled for Wednesday against Pakistan at Boland Park (14:30).
English spinner Charlie Dean struck early for the tourists when she bowled past opener Laura Wolvaardt for 17. Wickets continued to fall for South Africa as Marizanne Kapp went for nine and Sune Luus was caught underweight for eight.
A 98-run partnership between Tryon and the Tazmin Brits helped the Proteas regain momentum in their career. Tryon crushed 65 from just 23 balls (hitting five fours and a whopping seven sixes) before she was caught off Dean’s bowling.
After Tryon’s sending off, South Africa lost their way with the bat as Sarah Glenn bowled Brits for 38 off 28 balls (with five fours and one six), with Annerie Dercksen (0) following two balls later.
Delmi Tucker made a useful 17, but it was Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten quick fifty that kept the Proteas in the game.
Earlier, Sophia Dunkley got England off to a great start when she crushed nine fours and three sixes to record 59 for 19 balls.
Dunkley shared a starting position of 68 runs with Danni Wyatt before Shabnim Ismail made the breakthrough.
Ismail disturbed Dunkley’s stumps after she struck and missed to depart after half a century of rapid fire. Starter Danni Wyatt was then bowled for 24 by De Klerk.
An 80-run stand between Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt continued England’s attack as they met the Proteas attack.
After dropping the previous ball, Ismail struck as Capsey was caught and sent off for 61 from 33 balls (hitting six fours and three sixes).
The all-rounder Kapp struck next when she took out Sciver-Brunt, who went 51 off 25 balls (hitting four fours and four sixes).
De Klerk was the choice of attack for Proteas, as he took three for 45 as England recorded 246-7.
Scores in summary:
ENG 246-7 in 20 overs (Capsey 61, Dunkley 59, De Klerk 3/45, Ismail 2/38)
SA 229-9 in 20 overs (Tryon 65, De Klerk 50*, Glenn 3/30, Dean 3/46)
Result: England won by 17 runs
