England women made it three wins from three in their ICC Women’s World Twenty20 warm-up games by restricting South Africa to 101 for seven and then knocking off the runs with 3.3 overs and seven wickets to spare in Chennai.
Tight bowling, particularly in the first 10 overs after which the Proteas were 38 for two, laid the foundation for England to build on two wins over New Zealand.
Sarah Taylor’s 37 and 28 from Amy Jones aided perfect preparation for Thursday’s World T20 opener versus Bangladesh in Bangalore.
After South Africa won the toss Katherine Brunt started with a maiden and Anya Shrubsole broke through in the second over, forcing Dane van Niekerk to play on for nought. Danielle Hazell also struck in her first set of six, ousting Mignon du Preez.
2⃣️ wickets for @Anya_shrubsole!
Brunt with a smart catch out of the lights to remove Lizell Lee!#SA 79-5 pic.twitter.com/cfmSYnzeuy— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 14, 2016
Scoring remained sedate on a slow pitch with opener Trisha Chetty and Marizanne Kapp at the crease, a partnership Heather Knight broke in her opening over by diving to her left to have Kapp caught and bowled for 13.
In her next over Knight, fresh from a stunning catch on Saturday, likewise snared a becalmed Chetty for 31 before Shrubsole, who earlier left the field for treatment after a collision, returned to send Lizelle Lee packing, Brunt holding a skier.
Jenny Gunn ensured England ended on a high, having Chloe Tryon stumped and bowling Sune Luus in the last over.
In contrast to their opponents England made a flying start with the bat, taking 12 from the opening six balls.
.@Sarah_Taylor30 out for 37 off 36 ct at short fine leg. #Eng need 14 to win off 5.5 overs!#WT20 pic.twitter.com/HNlMi27MPd
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 14, 2016
Odine Kirsten had Charlotte Edwards caught behind in the powerplay, only for Jones and Taylor to share a stand of 44, the highest of the game.
Opener Jones fell for to Yolandi Fourie and, shortly before victory was sealed, Tryon had Taylor held at short fine-leg.
It was left to Knight and Danni Wyatt, unbeaten on 13 and seven respectively, to complete the job.
Source: ECB