Beaumont and Jones Secure England’s Series Win in Rain-Shortened Chase

Injury to Cross in the opening over raises concerns for England ahead of the Test match. Meanwhile, Tammy Beaumont showcased her skill across all formats with a brilliantly paced innings of 65 not out from 46 balls. Her performance helped England seal their ODI series against South Africa with a T20-style run-chase under the floodlights […]

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England Triumph Over Challenges to Win ODI Series

On a day disrupted by a three-hour rain and lightning delay and marred by a concerning first-over back injury to senior seamer Kate Cross, England overcame a challenging DLS-adjusted target of 152 in 23 overs to secure a comfortable victory with four overs remaining. This was thanks to Tammy Beaumont’s fifth-wicket stand of 90 in 63 balls with Amy Jones, who remained unbeaten on 49 from 36.

At one point, with the weather closing in, England seemed destined for a washout. Still, they were forced to battle their way to victory after Marizanne Kapp’s impressive 3 for 24 in five overs. Kapp’s devastating opening saw her dismiss Maia Bouchier (caught at midwicket for 4) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (duck) for second-ball ducks. She bowled Heather Knight with a superb delivery, leaving England struggling at 25 for 3. However, Beaumont showed remarkable composure, refusing to be rattled by the rising run rate. She received valuable support from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who made 22 from 16 balls, and later from Jones. The game was effectively sealed when Kapp’s final two overs were comfortably negotiated, with the required run-rate dipping below a run a ball.

The win handed England a 2-1 series victory in the ODI, after their six-wicket loss in the opening match in Kimberley. The result also secured the overall series win ahead of Sunday’s Test in Bloemfontein, after England had already claimed the T20I leg with a 3-0 whitewash. Having won the toss and elected to bowl, England restricted South Africa to 233 for 8 in their 50 overs. They were made to work hard for their wickets, especially by South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, who top-scored with a brilliant 61 from 68 balls, including several elegant cover drives, reinforcing her position as the ICC’s No.1-ranked ODI batter.

Cross Injury Disrupts England’s Bowling Plans as South Africa Collapses

Their task was made more challenging by a troubling incident in the opening over. Cross, following through after delivering her fifth ball, suddenly collapsed to the turf in visible pain. The physio assisted her off the field, with Alice Capsey completing the final ball of her over. It was later revealed that Cross had suffered a back spasm, raising doubts about her availability for the upcoming Test match.

England had already decided to rest their fastest bowler, Lauren Filer, after her key breakthroughs in the second ODI, leaving seam-bowling duties in the hands of Lauren Bell and Nat Sciver-Brunt. South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, took charge in the opening ten overs, adding 50 for the first wicket with Lara Goodall, one of four changes to their line-up. Bell, however, made the first breakthrough in the final over of the powerplay, dismissing Goodall, who lofted a length ball to mid-on just after a solid shot for four off her pads. Once again, South Africa’s batting faltered, leading to a collapse.

Anneka Bosch, another change to the line-up, found her rhythm with three powerful hits down the ground but then mistimed a drive off Capsey, handing the ball to Heather Knight, who had to step up in Cross’s absence. A short while later, Wolvaardt was dismissed, caught in front by Sophie Ecclestone, who received an on-field lbw decision despite the ball-tracker suggesting it was a marginal leg-side call. Nadine de Klerk, on 14, was run out after a slow reaction to Kapp’s call for a quick single, with Bouchier’s sharp throw to Jones proving decisive. Annerie Dercksen’s dismissal came when she was pinned lbw for 13 by Charlie Dean, another decision marginally showing to be clipping the bails.

At 156 for 5 with 18 overs remaining, Kapp and Chloe Tryon had the power to take South Africa to a strong finish. However, both batters fell within nine balls: Kapp misjudged a shot to long-on off Capsey for 19, and Tryon fell to a rash charge, stumped off Ecclestone for 20. Masabata Klaas followed soon after, spooning a loose drive to mid-off for a duck. England looked poised for a quick finish at 201 for 8. Still, Mieke de Ridder and Nonkululeko Mlaba held firm, frustrating the chase for a quick kill. They added 32 valuable runs, taking the innings into its final 45 balls. While Kapp had dominated England’s top order, those runs from the lower order proved crucial, but Beaumont and Jones had other ideas.