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“Kapp and Dercksen Shine as South Africa Beat England by Six Wickets to Take 1-0 Series Lead” Allrounders Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen played key roles in South Africa’s six-wicket win over England in Kimberley, leading the hosts to a 1-0 series lead in the three-match ODI series. Kapp took three early wickets to leave […]
“Kapp and Dercksen Shine as South Africa Beat England by Six Wickets to Take 1-0 Series Lead”
Allrounders Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen played key roles in South Africa’s six-wicket win over England in Kimberley, leading the hosts to a 1-0 series lead in the three-match ODI series. Kapp took three early wickets to leave England at 29 for 3 and then 77 for 5, with Dercksen contributing three wickets of her own. Despite a strong fightback from England’s Dean and Ecclestone, who added 67 for the eighth wicket, South Africa successfully chased 187 with 70 balls to spare. Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 59 anchored the chase, supported by vital innings from Kapp, Dercksen, and de Klerk.
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South Africa’s chase started promisingly when Tazmin Brits struck three fours in a Lauren Filer over. However, her innings was cut short when Lauren Bell’s length delivery struck her thigh pad after a missed sweep-pull, resulting in an lbw decision. Brits appealed, but with Hawk-Eye down, she was unable to review the call. Despite the setback, South Africa found success against Bell and Filer, particularly when the ball was pitched fuller. They reached 38 for 1 after six overs before spin was introduced.
Charlie Dean slowed the scoring rate, dismissing Sune Luus lbw, who was also unable to review due to the DRS issue. With the pitch showing inconsistent bounce from the heavy roller, the target started to seem daunting. Annerie Dercksen, however, brought confidence back with three fours in her first eight balls, helping South Africa regain control from England’s earlier pressure. Dercksen and Wolvaardt shared a crucial 54-run partnership for the third wicket, ending when Dercksen was caught at deep square leg off Filer.
Marizanne Kapp then made her presence felt, scoring a quick-fire 22 off 22 balls, including three fours and a six. She sliced Ecclestone past backward point and struck Filer for a four and six, propelling South Africa closer to the target. Wolvaardt, meanwhile, reached her half-century off 92 balls. Kapp’s dismissal left South Africa needing 51 runs, but Wolvaardt, supported by de Klerk’s unbeaten 48 off 28 balls, secured the win. De Klerk’s 11 fours were the most by any batter in the match. Notably, South Africa managed to keep Sophie Ecclestone wicketless for a ten-over spell, a first for her in an ODI since March 2022.
England suffered an early setback when Maia Bouchier was ruled out with a neck sprain after batting in the nets. This forced Sophia Dunkley to join Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order after England chose to bat. Beaumont had a lucky escape when she edged a delivery from Marizanne Kapp on her first ball, but wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta couldn’t hold on. However, Jafta and Kapp soon found success when Dunkley edged the last ball of the first over to Jafta.
Kapp, alongside Ayabonga Khaka, maintained pressure with the new ball, stringing together 11 consecutive dot balls before Beaumont broke the deadlock. She charged at Khaka and flicked the ball over midwicket, moving past Claire Taylor to become England’s second-highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs and enter the top ten list for the format. Her celebration was short-lived, though, as she attempted to charge Kapp again but was clean bowled.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, continuing her form from the T20Is, struck a couple of boundaries before being trapped lbw by Annerie de Klerk. Amy Jones briefly steadied the innings as spin was introduced, but Dercksen, playing her second ODI in place of the more experienced Anneke Bosch, dismissed Jones. Jones’s pull shot was brilliantly caught by Chloe Tryon at deep backward square leg. Nonkululeko Mlaba, who had earlier twisted her ankle, then dismissed Alice Capsey lbw.
Heather Knight took time to settle and found her rhythm with five boundaries, often using her feet effectively against the seamers. However, her attempt at a paddle shot against Mlaba was her undoing. With England on the brink of a low total, Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone rallied to post the team’s third-highest eighth-wicket partnership in ODIs. Their stand ended when de Klerk took a superb leaping catch at backward point off Dercksen, dismissing Ecclestone.
Despite their efforts, England’s total was not enough to prevent a defeat in their first international game at the Kimberley Oval.
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