England
women continue to dominate in South Africa.
England women continued
their unbeaten run against South Africa as they claimed a seven-wicket
victory over South Africa in the first Twenty20 of the series at Senwes
Park today.
South Africa won the toss,
elected to bat first but were kept in check by some accurate bowling by
Isa Guha and Arran Brindle.
With pressure mounting,
England made the breakthrough in the sixth over when Brindle and Danielle
Hazell combined to run out Yoland van Niekerk.
Brindle then tempted Trisha
Chetty to hit straight to Jenny Gunn and the hosts were soon 49 for three
when Hazell bowled South African captain Mignon du Preez.
Chloe Tyron and Alison
Hodgkinson bolstered the South African total, clearing the ropes on three
occasions, but England remained in control with Hazell catching the former
off the bowing of Isa Guha.
Top scorer Hodgkinson (51)
was run-out by Sarah Taylor off the final ball as South Africa finished on
128 for six from their 20 overs.
Despite losing the early
wicket of Laura Marsh, Charlotte Edwards and Taylor set about the target
with a 96-run partnership.
Taylor hit eight boundaries
in a fine half-century from 32 balls before she was caught at square leg.
Edwards soon followed, run out for a rapid 49, as England reached 114 for
three.
Brindle and Lydia Greenway
finished the job with 17 balls remaining.
Player of the match Sarah
Taylor said: "I enjoyed the game today. There was some great boundary
hitting from both teams - even the good balls went for four.
"I feel in good nick and it
was good to bat with Charlotte but the bowlers did the work for us today
by restricting South Africa.
"It’s a nice wicket and if
you get your hands through the ball it just goes, it’s such a quick
outfield.
"It was a good day. It’s
always exciting playing Twenty20 cricket and hopefully we’ll see some more
big hitting in the next two games."
England women play the
second Twenty20 of the three match series against South Africa on Saturday
29th October.
Match schedule
England Women v South Africa women
All matches at
Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
Sat 29th
October 2nd T20
