Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone lead England to classy victory
They chased down a tricky target of 125 on a slow pitch in Sharjah with ease in the end
They chased down a tricky target of 125 on a slow pitch in Sharjah with ease in the end
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
9:10pm That will be all from us for tonight. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and hope to have your company as Australia clash with New Zealand tomorrow. Until then, this is goodbye from Ranjith and myself. Take care, everyone!
Heather Knight, England captain: (On the win) Really pleased, that was a controlled win. The way we controlled the middle overs when they were battingâŠthe pitch was a little better than the other day. We controlled the chase brilliantly, that partnership was outstanding to watch. They are the sort of games where you love captaining because you feel you can make a difference. Sophie was back to her best. She seemed to get a bit of bounce, somehow, which is strange on this wicket. Happy with our fielding as well, our energy and intent. (On Danni Wyatt-Hodge) You can see her getting frustrated, she is not used to scoring at that strike-rate (smiles). But sometimes, it is about finding a way. Took really smart options and her and Nat - the way they controlled it, the way they ran, it was a proper job. We don't play till Sunday, so a big break. A bit of time to explore Dubai. Few are going out on the golf course tomorrow and then about refocusing after a few days off.
Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain: Very disappointed. 10-20 more runs, could have been interesting. Did not take our chances in the field either. Bowlers bowled well but have to tighten in those two other areas. (On the pitch) Not as slow as the other games earlier. We were talking about the 140-mark. We lost our way a little, and maybe could have started (attacking) a little earlier. (On Kapp's opening spell) Don't think you can ask for much more with the new ball. We could have been a little bit better (controlling with spin). But against such batters, it is difficult to set fields. (On the matches against Bangladesh and Scotland) Must-win games for us. Both of them could be pretty tough in these conditions and we have to be on our A-game.
Sophie Ecclestone, Player of the Match: (On her success mantra) I keep it simple and try to enjoy my cricket. I have a smile on my face at all costs. (On the wickets of Kapp and Wolvaardt) Always great to do it against the world's best. To get them out, two big wicketsâŠglad about the win. (On playing with her England teammates) All high-class players and we work as a unit, so absolutely buzzing to be playing alongside them. Conditions are so different out here. We have been adapting well. Danni (Wyatt-Hodge) and Nat (Sciver-Brunt) played amazingly well tonight.
8:55pm Well, that was a lot tenser than England would have wanted. But to be fair to them, they had the chase pretty much in control, especially from the moment Sciver-Brunt strode out. She found the fence regularly and did so whenever the required run-rate threatened to reach alarming proportions. Wyatt-Hodge played her role too and did not let the pressure get to her, especially during a powerplay where Bouchier found the going tough. Capsey's cameo, in hindsight, was also quite handy and gave England the sort of impetus they needed at the start of the middle overs.
A massive missed opportunity for South Africa, and that is a direct reference to the catches they dropped. A couple of them were rather presentable and on another day, they might have clung on to those, which would then have swung the game. Apart from that, Kapp was superb in her opening spell, with de Klerk and Mlaba also using the conditions well. But like it felt at the half-way stage, they just did not have enough on the board.
4 off 5 now...
And so, this game has come down to the final over. Not quite on a knife-edge, with England ahead at this stage. But if SA were to dismiss NSB off the first ball, who knows what might happen. Khaka to bowl...
Ecclestone, Sciver-Brunt and Wyatt-Hodge turn in the command performances to order
They chased down a tricky target of 125 on a slow pitch in Sharjah with ease in the end
Bosch, promoted to No. 3, struggled with her strike-rate in challenging batting conditions while the spinners couldn't exert control
How both teams deal with the conditions on Monday will be pivotal in a game that could be key to deciding how Group B finishes
South Africa and England are coming off convincing wins in their tournament openers