GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Seamer Anya Shrubsole snatched a hat-trick as England knocked South Africa out of the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup here yesterday with a comfortable seven-wicket victory at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium.
The Proteas women were stunned after opting to bat, bundled out for a paltry 85 in the final over, with Shrubsole claiming three for 11 and new-ball partner Natalie Sciver finishing with three for four.
Shrubsole was excellent in the final over, knocking over Shabnim Ismail (1), Masabata Klaas (0) and Yolani Fourie (4) in successive deliveries.
Chloe Tryon top-scored with 27 from 28 deliveries with a four and a couple of sixes but no other batsman passed 20.
In reply, England marched to their target in the 15th over, with openers Danielle Wyatt (27) and Tammy Beaumont (24) posting 55 off 49 deliveries to propel the run chase.
Captain and leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk picked up two for 13.
England moved to five points with the win, already with one foot in the semi-finals while the defeat was South Africa’s second on the trot to remain on two points from three outings.
Earlier, South Africa had suffered yet another devastating batting collapse as their woes in that department were further highlighted.
They slumped to 30 for four in the ninth over before Tryon tried to revive the innings, first in a 25-run, fifth wicket stand Mignon du Preez (16) and then in a 24-run, sixth wicket partnership with Faye Tunnicliffe (4).
At 79 for five in the 18th over, the innings quickly fell apart as South Africa lost their last five wickets for six runs.