Nat Silver-Brunt insisted England are focused on what they can control in the Women’s T20 World Cup and not trying to avoid a semi-final against defending champions Australia.
If the two countries finish first in their respective groups, they will face off in a separate top four, but England defeated South Africa and moved one step closer to reaching a deal with the other side.
With England winning 2-2 in Group B, Cyber Brandt scored an unbeaten 48 off 36 balls to help them survive a tricky chase of 125 with seven wickets and four balls to spare on a slow, low Sharjah pitch. .
Australia’s bid suffered a shot in the arm after India’s shock defeat to New Zealand last week, but Siver-Brant is adamant England are not paying too much attention to things outside the box. .
“We know that result happened and we are watching every game, but we are thinking about ourselves and the next game,” he said in Sunday’s penultimate group game against Scotland. Opponent Silver Brandt said.
“We don’t think too much about what other groups are doing in terms of positioning within their groups.
“Currently, I have a five-day gap. I want to enjoy some time off and make sure to get back in shape for Game 3.”
England lost to South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 and 2023, and memories of last year’s semi-final defeat by six points are still fresh.
However, in Saturday’s win over Bangladesh, England were dominated with the bat, scoring just 7 for 118. And it was their spinners who ensured the campaign didn’t get off to a false start.
Their spinners were once again in the spotlight with Sophie Ecclestone scoring 2 for 15 and Sarah Glen 1 for 18, but South Africa were unable to really bring down the hammer as they posted 124 for 6.
It was the first time they had totaled more than 120 at this venue, but Shiver Brunt revealed it was a better batting strip, even though England struggled to just 1 for 15 in their first five overs.
Alice Capsey’s 19 off 16 balls was a useful cameo before Siver Brunt hit 64 off 55 balls alongside Danny Wyatt Hodge, following his 41 against Bangladesh as well. He recorded 43 important run-a-balls.
The pair were at times down on their luck, dropping a few errant shots in front of the catcher, but they maneuvered the field well, ran hard between the wickets, and built up a steady, if unfashionable, team. .
Sophie Ecclestone (left) scores 2 for 15 from 4 overs (Altaf Qadri/AP)
Wyatt Hodge was dismissed with two overs and 11 left, but that had little to do with the result, as Siver Brunt brilliantly played his sixth four overs over the covers to bring England home.
“We weren’t able to finish the World Cup on the best note last time against South Africa, so I’m really happy to get over the line,” Shiver-Brandt said.
“It was a slightly easier wicket and we were batting a little better. We wanted to make a few changes and make it work really well. The most important thing was to stick to that intention all the way through. .
“The whole plan was to push the fielders with great intention on their runs and use that momentum to create boundaries. It was really important to keep the scoreboard moving.
“The conditions were tough and we knew it was going to be like that. I think we learned a lot from these two games, so I hope we can take advantage of that in the third game.”
