Third Big Win for England
Third ODI, Leicester
Tammy Beaumont was the big surprise, dropped from the Commonwealth Games squad, but her reaction was no surprise, a stunning 119 at the top of the order. She had a statement to make.
For the second time running the top four batters all passed 50, Emma Lamb looking assured with 65 in an opening stand of 149.
Sophia Dunkley showed she is enjoying the No 3 berth (51), and Heather Knight was as adapatable as ever, striking 63 off only 49 balls.
The last thing the bowlers needed to see was Danni Wyatt coming out to make hay while the sun shone – relentlessly. She struck 33 off a mere 14 balls. (4×4, 2×6)
There was talk of England cruising past 400 or at least beating their best ODI score (378-5), but Shabnim Ismail and Chloe Tryon both managed a maiden to restrict the total to 371-7.
The big worry was the general approach of the Proteas. Most things that can go wrong in the field went very wrong. Their attitude was hang-dog, to say the least. Sune Luus had to hide herself at short fine-leg because of an injured hand, but she did little or nothing to gee her troops up. They responded by dropping catches and muffing run-outs. It’s rare to see a bowler take a wicket without a single team-mate moving in to congratulate her.
In reply the Proteas had to rely on the same trio of batters to build a reponse, Laure Wolvaardt (56) dominated an opening stand of 61, hard to credit she is still only 23; Andrie Steyn’s contribution was 12.
Once more it was Marizanne Kapp (62) and Tryon (70) who provided the bulk of the runs, putting on 110 for the fifth wicket. But the run-rate couldn’t concern the bowlers.
As it turned out, the two young quicks, Lauren Bell and Izzy Wong, went wicketless; so did Kate Cross, now restored to first change.
It was the spinners who did the trick, Charlie Dean (another absentee from the CG list) taking Steyn’s wicket with her first ball to finish with 3-42. Lamb increased her value to the team by matching Dean’s figures, but off three overs fewer. The surprise packet was Alice Davidson-Richards. Denied a chance to spread her wings as a batter (at No 7), she took 3-35 with her swingers. She might possibly be even more proud to have bowled the only maiden of the innings.
Some Background
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It was a beastly hot day in Leicester, and the Proteas didn’t have their troubles to seek, The Lizelle Lee case went the rounds all day. Did she retire because Cricket South Africa denied her her NOC (no-objection certificate) or not? Her decision had a debilitating effect on the team, especially on the senior members.
We have to wonder whether Hilton Moreeng, the head coach, has a degree in sports psychology, since the team played with their heads down for the third time running. He has not yet managed to raise their spirits.
He will know why Luus was appointed captain in Dane van Niekerk’s place. Did Kapp say no, thank you?
Then why did Luus let England bat first, on a day where the temperature reached the high 30s? Was it her decision or the coach’s? Either way, the team looked disgruntled with their fate.
That fate looks a degree better with the return of Mignon du Preez for the T20 series against England. She retired from test and ODI matches.
The full squad:
Suné Luus (captain) (Titans Ladies), Chloé Tryon (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Anneke Bosch (Senwes Dragons), Trisha Chetty (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Nadine de Klerk (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Mignon du Preez (Titans Ladies), Lara Goodall (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Shabnim Ismail (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Sinalo Jafta (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Imperial Lions), Masabata Klaas (Senwes Dragons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal), Tumi Sekhukhune (Imperial Lions), Delmi Tucker (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Six Gun Grill Western Province)
The fixtures:
Thursday, 21 July 19.00 (The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford)
Saturday, 23 July 14.30 (Blackfinch New Road, Worcester)
Monday, 25 July 18.30 (The Incora County Ground, Derby)
Times all BST
The CG tournament at Birmingam is only eleven days away. The Proteas’ resources look far thinner than just a year or two ago. Their three pool stage opponents are New Zealand, England and Ireland.
Scores:
England 371-7
South Africa 262
England win by 109 runs
Player of the Match: Tamsin Beaumont
