England 137 for 4 (Beaumont 34, Boucher 33, Dirksen 2-22) beat South Africa 135 (Tryon 45, Dean 4-45, Ecclestone 3-27, Filer 3-32) by six wickets
Then, however, came the drinks break at the end of the 16th over, followed by a surprising slump in the middle of the innings.
Ecclestone himself was in action after four balls, as Wolvaardt – whose cover-driving was once again a feature of his innings – this time misjudged the length and took an inside edge onto his own stumps on 35, Because she hung back in the crease.
At 76 for 5, South Africa were intoxicated with punches, and two balls into Dean’s next over, they were almost out for the count. Nadine de Klerk lofted in a terrific off-balance hack, which was caught by Heather Knight at slip via a deflection off the keeper’s glove, and then Sinalo Jafta pressed forward without conviction, and took the ball first through middle and leg. Pinned in front of.
Not even a review could save her and Dean became the third England bowler to take a hat-trick in ODI women’s cricket, after Carol Hodges against Denmark in 1993 and most recently Claire Connor against India in 1999. He was questioned about the achievement during the innings break, and later admitted in the post-match presentation that the moment had completely passed.
However, the spinners will not be ruled out for long. Ecclestone got some extra turn and bounce to reward Tryon through a sharp take from Beaumont at short leg, and then extended the innings with 18 overs remaining as Ayanda Hlubi was bowled for 6.
In reply, England’s chase was started by Beaumont and Boucher, whose opening partnership of 69 runs in 12 overs broke the back of necessity.
Both were eventually taken by the aggressive Dirksen, whose use of the short ball resulted in two fluff pulls, to Bouchier at midwicket and Beaumont to the keeper, and when Heather Knight was out by Capp LBW for 7, there was danger of faltered 3 wickets. But 82 runs.
However, Danny Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt put on a 47-run stand for the fourth wicket to put the contest beyond any doubt, and although De Klerk took a consolation LBW in the final over, Amy Jones’ two The fours sealed the deal.
Andrew Miller is the UK editor for ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket
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