England showcased their superiority in the second ODI at Kingsmead, defeating South Africa by 6 wickets. The visitors’ all-round performance sealed the match and the series, with Charlie Dean leading the charge as the Player of the Match for her remarkable bowling display.
Charlie Dean shines with magnificent bowling show
Batting first after losing the toss, South Africa struggled to build momentum and were bundled out for 135 runs in just 31.3 overs. Chloe Tryon was the lone bright spot in their innings, scoring an aggressive 45 off 49 balls, including eight boundaries. Laura Wolvaardt chipped in with 35 runs off 50 deliveries, but the rest of the lineup failed to make an impact.
England’s bowlers, especially Dean and Sophie Ecclestone, proved too hot to handle. Dean recorded brilliant figures of 4 for 45 in her full quota of 10 overs, including a hat-trick, while Ecclestone complemented her with 3 for 27 in 7.3 overs. Lauren Filer also contributed with 3 wickets, making life difficult for the South African batters.
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England’s comfortable chase
Chasing a modest target of 136, England were clinical with the bat, reaching the target in just 24 overs. Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier provided a solid start with scores of 34 and 33 respectively. Although there were minor stumbles, Danielle Wyatt‘s quickfire 25 off 23 deliveries ensured a smooth finish.
South Africa’s bowling attack struggled to find breakthroughs, with Annerie Dercksen being the most successful, picking up 2 wickets for 22 runs in her 4 overs. Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk managed one wicket each, but their efforts were insufficient to defend the low total.
Dean’s outstanding performance with the ball was instrumental in dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup. Her ability to extract turn and bounce troubled the hosts, making her the deserved Player of the Match.
