Published on: Feb 24, 2020 10:25 am IST|Updated on: Feb 24, 2020 11:09 am IST
England pacer Katherine Brunt was the center of attention as she refused to ‘Mankad’ South Africa’s Sune Luus in the final over of their ICC Women’ T20 World Cup 2020 match on Sunday.
South Africa’s batters held their nerve to deliver a surprise six-wicket victory over England in Perth, but one of the biggest talking points after match game was Brunt’s decision to not force the run-out at the non-striker’s end.
The right-arm pacer was bowling to Mignon du Preez with South Africa needing seven runs to win off four balls with six wickets in hand. Brunt stopped just as she reached the stumps in her run-up and saw Luus walking out of the popping crease. The England fast bowler could have got the run-out and bagged a wicket for her team at a critical juncture of the match, but she chose to give the batter a warning instead.
Moments later, off the very next ball, Du Preez whacked Brunt for a six and all but sealed a win for South Africa.
With the game on the line, Katherine Brunt could have dismissed Sune Luus at the non-striker’s end, but opted not to. Moments later Mignon du Preez blasted a game-defining six.What do you think? ? pic.twitter.com/oPqeUdo7Hl — ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2020
With the game on the line, Katherine Brunt could have dismissed Sune Luus at the non-striker’s end, but opted not to. Moments later Mignon du Preez blasted a game-defining six.What do you think? ? pic.twitter.com/oPqeUdo7Hl
South Africa, ranked sixth in T20 cricket, are now an excellent chance to make it past the group stage at the World Cup.It was also sweet revenge for South Africa, who lost to England in the semi-final of the 2017 one-day World Cup.
“We kind of had a monkey on our back – it’s now done and dusted,” du Preez said of turning the tables on England.
“We said this year we want to go one step further than the semi-finals and take the World Cup trophy home.” She later added.