WT20WC 2024 Day Five Preview: England out for revenge against South Africa
Two of the semi-finalists at last year's ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will go head-to-head on Monday 7 October in an eagerly-awaited contest in Sharjah.
South Africa upset England when they registered a narrow six-run triumph in the semis at the most recent edition of the T20 World Cup and Heather Knight's side will be keen to extract some revenge this time around as the race for the knockout stages intensifies.
England v South Africa
England v South Africa, Monday 7 October (18:00 local), Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Two of the best teams at the T20 World Cup face off in Sharjah in a clash that is sure to have massive ramifications n who reaches the semi-finals of the event.
England registered an excellent 21-run victory over Bangladesh in their tournament opener, while South Africa were even more impressive as they cruised to a 10-wicket triumph over the West Indies.
It was opening duo Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits that put the West Indies to the sword in that encounter and it was again this pair that dominated their Proteas' match-up against England in the semi-finals of last year's T20 World Cup.
Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa was rocking as the home team clinched a spot in the Final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Wolvaardt and Brits each scored a half-century on that occasion to lead South Africa to the title decider on home soil and the Proteas will be confident of going one step further this time around with a well-balanced side at their disposal with plenty of weapons.
England too have plenty of star power at their disposal and it was their bevy of spinners that did the job against Bangladesh first up, with Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean all bowling well at times during the victory.
The battle between England's spinners and South Africa's in-form top-order will be crucial to the outcome of this clash.
Spinners help England overcome Bangladesh | Match Highlights | WT20WC 2024
What They Said
England batter Danni-Wyatt-Hodge: "I thought it was a pretty dominant performance by everyone (in win over Bangladesh). With the bat I thought we adapted quite early which was good. Communication was really good out there and then with the ball I thought the girls did a fantastic job...I thought our fielding was outstanding as well. We really attacked the ball as well and pulled off some good run-outs and catches. Hopefully we can kick on, learn from tonight and put out another good display in the next game."
South Africa bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba: "I think for us now we’re in it to win it. I mean we failed (in the) semi-finals a couple of times, and we failed at the finals. And now, it's either we win it or not. So that's the mentality of the team now. We're just in it to win it."
The Squads
England: Heather Knight (c), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon. Travelling reserve: Miané Smit
The World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.
Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.
