Tryon, De Klerk fifties not enough as Proteas women fall short in England T20 World Cup warm-up

Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon

England defeated the Proteas in their T20 Women’s World Cup warm-up despite a fiery half-century by Chloe Tryon on Monday at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch.

Chasing a competitive 247 for victory, South Africa fell 17 runs short with their final warm-up set for Wednesday against Pakistan at Boland Park (14:30).

English spinner Charlie Dean struck early for the tourists as she bowled opener Laura Wolvaardt for 17. Wickets continued to fall for South Africa as Marizanne Kapp went for nine and Sune Luus was trapped LBW for eight.

A 98-run partnership between Tryon and Tazmin Brits helped the Proteas regain momentum in their run-chase. Tryon smashed 65 off just 23 balls (hitting five fours and a whopping seven sixes) before she was caught off the bowling of Dean.

After Tryon’s dismissal, South Africa lost their way with the bat as Brits was bowled by Sarah Glenn for 38 off 28 balls (hitting five fours and a six), with Annerie Dercksen (0) following two balls later.

Delmi Tucker made a useful 17, but it was Nadine de Klerk’s quick-fire unbeaten fifty that kept the Proteas in the game.

Earlier on, Sophia Dunkley got England off to a belter of a start as she smashed nine fours and three sixes to record a blistering 59 off 19 balls.

Dunkley shared a 68-run opening stand with Danni Wyatt before Shabnim Ismail got the breakthrough.

Ismail disturbed Dunkley’s stumps after she swung and missed to depart after a quick-fire half-century. Opener Danni Wyatt was then bowled for 24 by De Klerk.

An 80-run stand between Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt continued England’s onslaught as they took on the Proteas attack.

After being dropped off the previous ball, Ismail struck as Capsey got caught and dismissed for 61 off 33 balls (hitting six fours and three sixes).

All-rounder Kapp struck the following over as she removed Sciver-Brunt, who departed for 51 off 25 balls (hitting four fours and four sixes).

De Klerk was the pick of the Proteas attack as she took three for 45 as England posted 246-7.

Scores in brief:

ENG 246-7 in 20 overs (Capsey 61, Dunkley 59, De Klerk 3/45, Ismail 2/38)

SA 229-9 in 20 overs (Tryon 65, De Klerk 50*, Glenn 3/30, Dean 3/46)

Result: England won by 17 runs