England head coach Lisa Keightley admitted “the buck lies with me” after their third straight defeat left the defending champions on the brink of elimination from the Women’s World Cup.
South Africa had not beaten England for over 20 years in a Women’s World Cup, but chased down England’s 235 with four balls remaining to claim a three-wicket victory.
England will again be left to rue fielding errors, allowing Laura Wolvaardt three lifelines on her way to what proved to be a match-winning 77.
Highlights from today’s defeat to South Africa
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 14, 2022
Heather Knight’s side also dropped Deandra Dottin during the previous defeat against the West Indies, among other errors, but Keightley did not have an answer as to why the mistakes have crept into the team.
“We haven’t really put our finger on it. We have fielded pretty well throughout the Ashes and took a lot more chances than we have today,” the England head coach said.
“The last two days we trained really well and the girls have been up and about putting a lot of effort in and we just haven’t got the rewards in the games when it matters.
“I don’t really know to be sure, it is something that we’ll have to think about when we review after the World Cup.”
#MomentumProteas make it three from three
ICC/Getty#SAvENG #CWC22 #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/QmUYQaVBmx
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 14, 2022
After defeats to Australia and the West Indies in the first two matches of the tournament, England now require other results to go their way to have any chance of qualifying for a semi-final spot.
Keightley assumed responsibility for England’s faltering title defence.
“As a coach I take a huge amount of
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