Sciver-Brunt fifty steers England to victory in first T20I over Proteas women

Nat Sciver-Brunt's half-century steered England to a four-wicket victory in the first T20I against the Proteas women at Buffalo Park on Sunday.

Chasing 142 to win, Eliz-Mari Marx starred with the ball with her three wickets but couldn't stop a determined Sciver-Brunt and England in a sunny East London.

All-rounder Nadine de Klerk drew first blood for the home side as Danni Wyatt-Hodge was bowled out for 11 before Marx picked up opener Maia Bouchier for 20.

England looked in control of the run-chase with Sciver-Brunt sharing a 50-run stand with Amy Jones (31).

Player of the match Sciver-Brunt was superb as she smashed seven boundaries with the scores level with an over remaining.

Sciver-Brunt then flicked Marx straight to short fine-leg to depart for a stunning 59 off 54 balls as England easily crossed the finish line.

Earlier on, after being asked bat first, the Proteas mustered 142-5 in the first of three T20Is in England's all-format tour of South Africa.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt and partner Tazmin Brits got off to a decent start as the pair made 35 before Charlie Dean got Wolvaardt to walk down the track and depart for 20. 

It soon propelled a top-order collapse as the Proteas stuttered and were in a spot of bother at 64-4.

De Klerk provided a welcomed late knock, hitting four boundaries from 16 balls in her 29 not out and shared a valuable unbeaten 42-run stand with Annerie Dercksen, who remained undefeated on 26 off 29.

The second T20I is on Wednesday at 18:00 in Benoni.

Scores in brief:

South Africa 142/5 in 20 (De Klerk 29, Dercksen 26, Dean 2/21, Kemp 1/15)

England 143/6 in 19.2 (Sciver-Brunt 59, Jones 31, Marx 3/19, De Klerk 2/20)

England won by four wickets