England women advance to final

England restricted South Africa to 101 all out after winning the toss and putting them in to bat. A combination of good fielding by England and poor running between the wickets by a nervous-looking South African side resulted in five run-outs in their innings.

 

The South Africans lost power-hitter Lizelle Lee to Anya Shrubsole for a duck off the third ball of their innings. Shrubsole struck again in the third over, bowling Trisha Chetty for three to finish with figures of two for 12.

 

South Africa lost their third wicket inside the first four overs when Yolandi van der Westhuizen (6) was trapped leg before by Rebecca Grundy.

 

England's sharp fielding saw to two run-outs in the 10th over, with Dané van Niekerk removed for seven and Marizanne Kapp dismissed for nought.

 

Skipper Mignon du Preez walked to the crease with her side five down for 33 runs and tried to steady the ship. She scored 23 off 32 balls before she was dismissed by Grundy, leaving South Africa floundering on 55 for six. Grundy finished with figures of two wickets for 22.

 

Eighteen-year-old Suné Luus (5) added a 20-run partnership with Chloe Tryon before she departed after a freakish clash with her batting partner, while chasing a risky single, which left them both knocked over on their backs.

 

Tryon top-scored with 40 runs off 31 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

 

England's reply was calm and patient. Captain Charlotte Edwards shared a 67-run opening stand with Sarah Taylor (44 not out) before she was caught and bowled by Luus for 36 at the start of the 12th over. Taylor was joined by Heather Knight (21 not out), who chipped away at the required

runs and they cruised to a comfortable victory.

 

Du Preez was disappointed with the result, but proud that the team had reached the semi-finals.

 

"Our main objective before we came here to Bangladesh was to reach the semi-finals and we did that," she said. "We played some amazing cricket and I'm so proud of the team's character and determination throughout the tournament.

 

"We got knocked out by one of the best teams in the world, but I know that, with more exposure to the calibre of cricket played by sides like England and Australia, we will go far as a team and country."

 

The South Africa women's team played their first live TV match on Friday and Du Preez stressed how vital it was for the further development of the game that the team got more exposure back home.

 

"Playing in front of a live TV audience in South Africa was really special for us. It's too bad that the women's group matches were not televised and the country only got to see us lose, but this is a huge step in the right direction for women's cricket in South Africa," she said.

 

South Africa coach Hilton Moreeng was also very proud of the side's achievement.

 

"This team has come a very long way," he said. "Today they didn't play their best cricket, but the fight and the hunger was still there when they fielded.

 

"I'm extremely proud of the progress they have shown in reaching our objective of reaching the semis of the World T20. Now we'll look to build on that milestone and continue to push the women's game forward in the coming months with the tours that have been arranged."

 

England will meet defending champions Australia in Sunday's final. Both teams will be playing their third consecutive World T20 finals.

 

- Sapa