ICC Women’s World Cup 2017: England vs South Africa, 5 Talking Points

The hosts England are proving to be real contenders to lift the ICC Women’s World Cup as they romped to a comprehensive 68 run victory against South Africa at Bristol on Wednesday. With this victory, they are now on a three-match winning streak after losing to the Indian eves in their opening encounter.

Batting first, England rode on superb centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Taylor to post a huge total of 373/5.

The South African eves started off well with a 128 run opening stand, but the target eventually proved to be too much for them as they fell short by 68 runs. Laura Wolvaardt (67), Lizelle Lee (72) and Chloe Tryon (54) were the players who crossed the fifty run mark.

Danielle Hazell was the pick of the English bowlers with figures of 3/70 while Heather Knight also returned impressive figures of 2/52. Anya Shrubsole, Natalie Sciver and Alex Hartley also chipped in with a wicket each as England restricted South Africa to 305/9.

Let us now have a look at the five talking points from the match.

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#1 Beaumont and Taylor’s twin centuries

The English eves have been demolishing their opponents with their batting displays game after game. Today was no different as both Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Taylor scored scintillating centuries and knocked South Africa completely out of the contest.

The match hung in the balance in the 12^th over of the innings as South Africa got rid of Lauren Winfield for 24, thus reducing England to 59/1.

As soon as Taylor joined hands with Beaumont at the crease, the energy and vibe of the match changed. Taylor started smashing the bowlers to all parts of the ground from the very first ball whereas Beaumont kept the strike ticking over.

Their partnership ultimately came to an end in the 47^th over with the dismissal of Taylor who had scored a blistering 147 off just 104 deliveries. Beaumont followed Taylor to the dressing room soon after for a well-made 148 off just 145 deliveries with England on 343.

#2 Heather Knight’s all-round contribution

Heather Knight added quick runs lower down the order

Skipper Heather Knight proved her worth once again as she played a cameo lower down the order and then came back to claim two crucial wickets. After Beaumont and Taylor departed, it was all up to the lower order batswomen to take England to a formidable total. Knight blasted 22 runs off just 10 deliveries to take England’s total to a humungous 373/5.

When it came to contributing with the ball, she returned impressive figures of 2/52. First, she dismissed Mignon du Preez (43) in the 45^th over of the innings and then accounted for Shabnim Ismail (0) in the 47^th over to ensure England’s victory.

Moreover, she also took the all-important catch of Chloe Tryon and was involved in the run-out of Trisha Chetty (6).

#3 Lee’s opening blast and her partnership with Wolvaardt

Lizelle Lee got South Africa off to a quick start

Lizelle Lee threatened to take the match away from England as she stitched a very important opening stand with Laura Wolvaardt. Lee took all the English bowlers to the cleaners, constantly dealing in boundaries.

She helped lay the foundation for what could have been a memorable chase for South Africa. However, she was dismissed for 72 (77) by Natalie Sciver after a 128-run opening stand with Wolvaardt off 151 deliveries.

She struck 7 fours and 2 sixes in her innings and the English bowlers breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her trudge back to the pavilion.

#4 Laura Wolvaardt’s slow innings that brought about the downfall

Wolvaardt struggled for timing

In a chase that required each and every batter to score at greater than a run-a-ball, Wolvaardt seemed to be living in her own world as she took her time at the crease. By the time she was dismissed, she had already consumed 103 deliveries for just 68 runs, denting South Africa’s run chase.

Her partner, Lee, had the right mindset as she hammered almost a run-a-ball 72. However, Wolvaardt’s innings looked pretty selfish. She struggled for most of her innings but hung in there, hoping to accelerate later on. However, that never happened and she was dismissed pretty cheaply.

#5 Chloe Tryon’s blistering fifty went in vain

Tryon’s blitzkrieg took South Africa close

Tryon walked out to bat at the fall of the fourth wicket with South Africa requiring a mammoth 175 runs from 76 deliveries. However, Tryon showed tremendous spirit as she smashed 54 runs off just 26 deliveries and for a moment looked like taking South Africa all the way.

Her innings was studded with 5 fours and 4 humongous sixes but unfortunately, ended in a losing cause. The crowd also gave her a standing ovation, applauding her fighting spirit and tremendous innings under pressure.