England exact T20 World Cup revenge on Proteas women in Sharjah

England exacted sweet revenge on the Proteas with a seven-wicket victory in Monday's Women's T20 World Cup Group B encounter in Sharjah.

Last year, the Proteas defeated England in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Cape Town, propelling South Africa to their first-ever World Cup final.

On Monday, chasing 125 to win on a slow Sharjah track, England easily reached the modest total to top Group B.

England got off to an unusually slow start thanks to disciplined bowling before Marizanne Kapp got the early breakthrough, removing Maia Bouchier, who was trapped LBW for eight, while all-rounder Nadine de Klerk caught and bowled Alice Capsey for 19.

However, a quick-fire 64-run partnership between Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt diminished all hopes for a comeback from the Proteas. Nonkululeko Mlaba, who starred in the West Indies game, got the late breakthrough of Wyatt, who was stumped for a run-a-ball 43.

The Proteas will find some consolation in taking the game to the final over with four just needed. Sciver-Brunt, who ended unbeaten on 48, scored the winning runs with a boundary as England eyes their second World Cup title.

South Africa can still qualify for the semi-finals after this loss but will need to win their two remaining games against Scotland (Wednesday) and Bangladesh (Saturday).

Opting to bat first, the Proteas began well, but it soon became evident that the pitch was slow, favouring both spin and swing.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the attack from the start, building mini-partnerships with Tazmin Brits (13) and Anneke Bosch (18). Wolvaardt fell short of five consecutive World Cup fifties when she was bowled by left-arm Sophie Ecclestone for 42 off 39 balls (hitting three fours).

Kapp's introduction into the middle saw