England women crush South Africa to win T20 series

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Danni Wyatt-Hodge has swapped her Hurricanes jersey for an England one and smashed a quick 78.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge has swapped her Hurricanes jersey for an England one and smashed a quick 78.

Hobart Hurricanes’ Danni Wyatt-Hodge was in devastating form with the bat as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their Twenty20 series against South Africa by recording a 36-run win in Benoni.

Wyatt-Hodge was one of a number of WBBL players from both countries to have left Australia early to take part in the series.

The opener struck 78 in 45 balls in a knock that featured 15 fours and she received strong support from Nat Sciver-Brunt, who smashed an unbeaten 67 from 43 balls, as the tourists compiled a total of 4-204.

Wayward bowling was matched by poor fielding with Wyatt-Hodge dropped on nine and 29 and Sciver-Brunt on 25.

Brisbane Heat’s Nadine de Klerk removed Wyatt-Hodge and Sydney Thunder’s Heather Knight, the latter falling after a rapid 26, while Ayanda Hlubi also took two wickets. Perth’s Amy Jones finished unbeaten on 15 off seven balls.

South Africa had won the toss and chose to field, but the decision backfired as England built their commanding total and then steadily took wickets including skipper Laura Wolvaardt, of Adelaide Strikers, for 25,.

Spinner Sarah Glenn then tore through the hosts’ middle order, dismissing several batters who appeared set.

Faye Tunnicliffe (22), Annerie Dercksen (24), Hobart’s Chloe Tryon (30) and Nondumiso Shangase (0) were each removed by Glenn, who finished with 4-20, all bowled.

By the time the 25-year-old all-rounder had finished, South Africa were 6-129 with 22 balls left.

“I focused on just getting wickets. The pitch suited me so I wanted to keep it simple and use the pace,” said Glenn.

A defiant 32 from De Klerk stemmed the flow of falling wickets, contributing to a rare off day from Sydney Sixers’ Sophie Ecclestone whose four overs went for 40, but it was too little, too late. They finished on 6-168.

It was England’s second victory over South Africa in four days with the final match of the series taking place in Centurion on Saturday.

PA