Wolvaardt bemoans Proteas batting, says loss of Kapp, Sekhukhune 'massive'

Proteas batter Laura Wolvaardt says they struggled to keep things simple following South Africa's loss in the first T20 against England in Chelmsford on Thursday.

The Proteas women continued their batting woes in England as they stumbled to 111-9, enabling the hosts to record a comfortable six-wicket win.

Wolvaardt brought up her fourth T20 half-century - and her third consecutive fifty of the England tour.

Coming in at 7-2, Wolvaardt shouldered the Proteas innings as wickets tumbled around her. She was one of only two SA batters to reach double figures (Anneke Bosch scored 18).

Wolvaardt stood tall as she scored 55 off 49 balls (hitting 7 fours) before she was caught in the deep off Katherine Brunt, who took four for 15.

Chasing 112 came easy for England as Sophia Dunkley brought up her maiden T20 fifty despite a challenge from Ayabonga Khaka, who captured three for 13.

Dunkley smashed 59 off 39 balls (hitting seven fours and three sixes) as England reached their target with 30 balls to spare.

Wolvaardt says the Proteas' batters struggled to keep it simple in the middle.

"We didn't have partnerships all the way through. It was a difficult innings for me because it was difficult to find any flow or momentum," Wolvaardt told reporters on Thursday.

"Every time we got going again, another wicket fell... I think we tried too many things, we didn't keep it simple enough, but we'll have a chat and see what we can do to be better the next game."

The Proteas trail the three-match T20 series 1-0, with the second T20 scheduled at Blackfinch New Road in Worcester on Saturday.

Before the start of the T20 series, Cricket South Africa released a player update, which ruled out all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and pacer Tumi Sekhukhune.

Kapp, who scored