Sciver-Brunt and Knight take England to 169-5 in South Africa semi-final / Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS - AFP
Sciver-Brunt and Knight take England to 169-5 in South Africa semi-final
England captains present and past combined to telling effect as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight rescued the hosts from a top-order collapse with a century stand in their Women's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday.
The Proteas, who won the toss, reduced England to 23-3 inside four overs.
But Sciver-Brunt and Knight, two survivors from the last England side to win a major international trophy -- the 2017 50-over World Cup -- turned the tide with a partnership of 133 that took their side to a total of 169-5.
England captain Sciver-Brunt, back from a thigh injury that had kept her out of her side's last three group games, made 75 and former skipper Knight 58 before they both fell in the penultimate over to left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-25).
The highest winning chase in any Women's T20 World Cup is Australia's 172-4, needing 171, when they knocked India out of this tournament in a group-stage game at Lord's last weekend.
Australia are already through to Sunday's final at Lord's after thrashing the West Indies by eight wickets in Tuesday's first-semi-final at the Oval.
South Africa enjoyed a brilliant start, taking three wickets inside the first four overs.
Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail struck with her first ball, Amy Jones cutting a loose delivery straight to point.
England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, whose previous five innings had yielded a tournament record 282 runs at a stellar average of 94, was bowled for just 12 by Marizanne Kapp's well-disguised slower ball.
England were three down when Alice Capsey was lbw to Ismail, the hosts opting against a review. Replays indicated a thin edge.
But Sciver-Brunt and Knight, England's 2017 World Cup-winning skipper, revived the innings.
Sciver-Brunt clipped the previously miserly Kapp (1-16) for four.
The 33-year-old Sciver Brunt, on her Surrey home ground, completed a fine fifty when she whipped Nadine de Klerk through midwicket for a ninth four in 35 balls faced.
Knight slog-swept Ayabonga Khaka for a huge six to go to a 42-ball fifty and Sciver-Brunt also cleared the ropes when hoisting de Klerk over midwicket.
S.Rovigatti--IM
