England women require 132 to beat South Africa in the deciding third Twenty20 international and complete a series double in Mark Robinson’s first tour as Head Coach.
The tourists, who won the one-day internationals 2-1, restricted the Proteas to 131 for four after winning the toss at the Wanderers.
South Africa were struggling on six for three in the second over, but recovered brilliantly courtesy of Lizelle Lee’s career-best T20 score of 69 from 61 balls.
Natasha Farrant and Anya Shrubsole formed a new-ball pairing and they initially justified Charlotte Edwards’ decision to bowl.
Here they come! @lottie2323 leading out the troops #EngWomen https://t.co/mfLzpJeP1n
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 21, 2016
Left-armer Farrant, called up as a replacement for the injured Katherine Brunt, had Trisha Chetty stumped by Saran Taylor with the second ball of the match.
Shrubsole then bowled dangerwoman Dane van Niekerk, fresh from back-to-back fifties, before rearranging Marizanne Kapp’s furniture with her next ball.
But the hosts regrouped following a counter-attacking 89-run stand in 14.2 overs between Mignon du Preez and Lee.
Du Preez struck a run-a-ball 39 before she was run out by a Heather Knight direct-hit from the deep.
Lee continued on her merry way, hitting eight fours and two sixes in total, and added 36 in 23 balls with Chloe Tryon to leave England with a tough chase to win the series 2-1.
Source: ECB