Hot off the heels of an encouraging victory over Sri Lanka, in which captain Heather Knight continued her fine form and Sarah Taylor scored her first half-century of the ICC Women’s World Cup, England will take on South Africa at Bristol. Can they make it three wins on the bounce?
South Africa’s attack
South Africa have started very positively in this tournament, most notably because of their bowlers. Openers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail pose a significant threat and Kapp has been one of the best bowlers on show so far. Ismail holds a claim to be the fastest bowler in the world while Kapp – a Surrey Stars player in the Kia Super League – will ask questions of England’s line-up. They’ve also got two leg-spinners in the shape of captain Dane van Niekerk, who took 0-4 in their demolition of the West Indies, and Sune Luus.
Brunt force
Opening bowler Katherine Brunt will be the first to admit she didn’t quite get it right against India in England’s curtain-raiser but the way she’s responded since has been impressive. She took two wickets against Pakistan at Leicester but it was at Taunton – despite ending wicketless – where she most excelled, finding pace and swing to beat the bat on a number of occasions. She celebrated her 32nd birthday on Sunday and perhaps the best present could be a hat-full of wickets at Bristol tomorrow.
Time in the middle?
One small question mark that may have arisen for South Africa, such is the progress they’ve made in this tournament, is that not many of their batters have had the luxury of time in the middle. Against Pakistan in their tournament opener a strong partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee seemed to have got the job done but they ended up limping over the line following a series of run-outs. Their game against New Zealand was rained off and so comfortable was their victory over West Indies that they only needed their openers. Is that something England can exploit?
Spin twins?
Laura Marsh made a successful return against Sri Lanka, taking 4-45, but the feeling was Alex Hartley missed out due to the number of left-handers in the opposition’s line-up. With South Africa being a team of predominantly right-handers, will Hartley come back into the XI or will Marsh retain her place? Coach Mark Robinson will also have the option of changing the balance of the side and perhaps including all three slow bowlers.
Wham bam thank you, Tam
Tammy Beaumont is yet to make a score of note in this ICC Women’s World Cup but the way she’s striking the ball – and the intent she’s showing – is an indication of a player who’s got a big score just around the corner. A slightly fresher wicket with a bit more pace may suit her, and she’ll be excited about potentially making it her day tomorrow.
Knight time
The leading scorer in this tournament is England’s skipper Heather Knight, who’s made a rapid return to form after initially struggling for fluency after her foot injury. She’s made scores of note in each game so far and she’s hitting the ball well all around the wicket. She – like many of her teammates – might relish the extra pace on the ball offered by South Africa’s attack and in Bristol, her native south-west, it’ll be a big opportunity for her to maintain her purple patch.