Womens T20 World Cup 2026

No hat-trick. This time, the line is not at the stumps by Ayabonga Khaka. Sticks to the slower one but it is outside off, on a good length. Caroline de Lange pokes at it and is lucky not to nick this one behind. South Africa Women win by 88 runs and give their net run rate a much-needed boost.

Caroline de Lange to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! BOWLED! Two in two for Ayabonga Khaka and the third wicket in the over. It is the leg-cutter that does the trick for Khaka again. On a good length, angled in, on middle. Hannah Landheer gets on her toes and shapes up to work it across the line with a closed bat face. The ball lands and straightens enough to go past the outside edge and hits the top of the middle stump. Ayabonga is on a hat-trick now.

Hannah Landheer walks out to the middle now.

OUT! TIMBER! Completely outfoxed. It is the leg-cutter from Khaka, on a length, on off and middle. Iris Zwilling clears the front leg and has a heave across the line. She does not pick the change of pace and swings early. One hand comes off the bat handle and Zwilling fails to connect. The ball goes through to clatter into the stumps.

Slower one, on a length, on off. Myrthe van den Raad swings at it and chips it back over the bowler's head for a single.

Out goes Babette de Leede, in comes Myrthe van den Raad.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ayabonga Khaka gets herself on the wickets column. Pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Babette de Leede crouches and plays the pull. She connects well but neither does she get the elevation nor does she manage to pick the gap. Hits it flat to deep square leg, where Annerie Dercksen gets on her knees and gets her hands out in front to take a good, low catch.

Drifting onto the pads, low full toss. Iris Zwilling hangs low and smears it behind square leg for a single.

Nearly sneaked through. Very full, in line with the off stump. Babette de Leede hurriedly gets her bat down. It goes off an inside edge wide of short fine leg. Babette is keen for a single but is sent back. She makes it back in before the throw arrives at her end.

Low full toss, following the batter. Iris whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

It's falling apart for the Dutch rather quickly now. Iris Zwilling is the next batter in.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! A golden duck for Frederique Overdijk. Cross-seam ball by Nadine De Klerk, on a length, attacking the stumps. Overdijk pushes out in front of her body but the ball nips back to graze the inside edge and it deflects back onto the leg stump.

On a back of a length, on off. Babette de Leede steers it wide of short third for a single.

Shorter and on off. Babette de Leede chops it down on the off side.

FOUR! Babette de Leede gets it away. On the pads, angled in on a length. De Leede swats it away to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Another one goes down. Frederique Overdijk comes out to the middle now.

OUT! LBW! Trapped in front and Chloe Tryon has her second wicket. Full and angled in, on middle. Robine Rijke attempts the reverse but the ball is too full for the shot. It sneaks under the blade and catches Robine on the pads right in front of the stumps. An easy decision for the umpire and Rijke does not bother to take the review.

Top edge but safe. Tossed up, on off. Babette de Leede goes for the sweep. A top edge is found but it drops well in front of deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Attacking the front pad, full in length. Robine helps it wide of short fine leg for a run.

The next batter in is Robine Rijke.

OUT! PHEBE MOLKENBOER IS RUN OUT! Quite a strange dismissal. A laboured attempt at getting back and Phebe Molkenboer is found short. Full and quick, on middle. Molkenboer steps out and swipes it wide of mid-wicket. She is keen for a single but is sent back by her partner. Dane Van Niekerk gets around to her left and throws it at the batting end. No real urgency from Phebe to get back and she just jogs to make her ground. Sinalo Jafta gathers the throw and whips the bails off to catch Molkenboer short of her ground.

Just past the off stump. On a length, Phebe Molkenboer shuffles across for the sweep but misses.

On the fuller side, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Phebe Molkenboer jams it out.

Was that a chance? Very full, on middle and leg. Babette de Leede steps out and fails to squeeze it out. It goes behind, where Sinalo Jafta cannot get her gloves around to gather it.

Around off, on a length. Babette de Leede attempts the sweep but misses.

In the air...but safe. Looped up, on middle. Phebe Molkenboer gets down the track and swings at it. Gets it off the outer half and it drops away from backward point. Single taken.

Fired in again, on middle. Molkenboer firms the drive to mid off.

Pushed through, low full toss, on middle. This is driven to deep cover for one.

Floated up, on off. Babette de Leede steps out and carves it to the left of extra cover for a couple of runs.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to bowl out now.

Flatter and shorter, following the batter. Phebe punches it on the up to cover.

Slightly short, on middle. Molkenboer tucks it with soft hands in front of square on the leg side and comes charging back for the second run.

Speared in, full and quick, on middle and leg. Phebe smacks it to mid off.

Tossed up, on off. Babette de Leede shuffles and sweeps it behind square leg. Nadine De Klerk gets around in the deep and slides to mop it up. Just a single.

Shorter now, on middle. Molkenboer hops back and punches it to long on for one.

Full and on middle. Molkenboer steps out and ends up yorking herself. Digs it out to mid off.

Short again and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

On a length and middle, Babette de Leede clips it through square leg for a single.

The Dutch skipper, Babette de Leede walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shabnim Ismail strikes, but the credit goes to the keeper for a fantastic catch. This is banged into the pitch, down the leg side, not a wicket-taking delivery. Sterre Kalis looks to pull it away, but gets a bit cramped up for room and the ball just brushes her gloves. It goes behind where Sinalo Jafta puts in a full-length dive to her left to grab it.

Hard length and on middle, Sterre Kalis stabs it down the pitch. Shabnim Ismail stops it well on her follow-through.

Fuller and angling into the leg side, Phebe Molkenboer looks to swipe it away but misses as the ball goes off her pads towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. 100 up for Netherlands Women!

Short of a length and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer pulls it away wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

DRINKS BREAK! The Netherlands made an encouraging start in the Powerplay, but the innings has since fizzled out. From here, it is more about what they can take out of the remainder of the chase than anything else. South Africa have done well to wrest back control after leaking runs in the Powerplay. With net run rate likely to play a crucial role in the race for the semifinals, the Proteas will know there is no room for complacency and will be keen to finish the job as emphatically as possible. Shabnim Ismail (2-0-27-0) to bowl after the break.

Much quicker, full and on leg, Sterre Kalis once again goes for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Drops it short and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Fires this one, full and on off, Sterre Kalis drills it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Tossed up, full and on middle, Sterre Kalis uses her feet to go inside out and lofts it through covers for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets it away! Floated, full and down the leg again. Sterre Kalis sits on one knee and swipes it off the inner half of the bat as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Flatter, full and around leg, Sterre Kalis gets down for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Change of pace, back of a length and on off, Sterre Kalis punches it to sweeper cover for one more.

Follows the batter, hits the length hard, on leg. Sterre Kalis makes room for the cut but misses.

On a length and on off, Phebe Molkenboer clips it through square leg for a run.

Touch fuller and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer knocks it down the pitch.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Good length and around off. Phebe Molkenboer shuffles across early, gets low and scoops it to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and around leg, Sterre Kalis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A change of ends for Nadine De Klerk.

On a length and on off, Sterre Kalis pushes it through covers for one more.

Hard length and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer backs away and cuts it to deep backward point for one.

Pace off once more, full and on middle, Sterre Kalis lofts it towards long on for another run.

Full again and around off, Sterre Kalis sets herself up for the reverse lap but misses.

Leg cutter, full and on off, Phebe Molkenboer turns it through square leg for a run.

Back of a length and on off, takes pace off, Sterre Kalis stabs it out towards extra cover for a single.

Ayabonga Khaka (1-0-12-0) is back.

Dragged back, outside off, Sterre Kalis cuts it away wide of point, where the fielder dives to her left to stop it. They cross.

Quicker, full and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Flighted, full and around leg, Sterre Kalis gets low to swipe it away but misses as the ball goes off her pads to short fine. A leg bye taken.

WIDE! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Sterre Kalis fails to paddle it away. Wided.

Nicely tossed up, full and on leg, Sterre Kalis backs away and bunts it back to the bowler.

Short and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer pulls it past mid-wicket for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer tucks it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Smart batting! This is on a short of a length, over off. Kalis waits on it on the back foot and opens the bat face to steer it fine of the short third fielder. 20 runs in the 4 overs since the end of the Powerplay. 139 needed off 60 balls.

At the sticks, skidding through, on a length. Sterre pushes it back to the bowler.

Pace off, fuller and outside off. Molkenboer does not have any pace to work with, and she mistimes the scoop to deep fine leg for one.

On a back of a length, on middle. Sterre tugs it away to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Hits the good length, on the off stump. Kalis plays it on the up to the left of the bowler.

On the pads, on a good length. Molkenboer helps it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Full and quick, on off. Kalis drives it to cover. A quiet over from Mlaba. Just 4 runs off it.

Very full, on leg. Kalis sweeps but can't get it past short fine leg.

Shorter and quicker, on middle. Sterre stabs it down.

Speared in at the pads. Kalis cannot get the sweep away.

FOUR! Up and over! Gives the ball a bit of air, full and on middle. Kalis makes a bit of room and opens up the front hip to go over mid off for a four.

Full and on middle. Kalis works it on the leg side. Dane Van Niekerk slides to her left at short mid-wicket and makes the stop.

Darted in on middle, on the shorter side. Kalis whips it to deep mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

End of the 58-run opening stand. Sterre Kalis walks out to bat at number 3 instead of Babette de Leede.

OUT! TAKEN! Sanya Khurana holes out. 50th T20I wicket for Chloe Tryon. Tossed up, on middle. Khurana shimmies down the track and tries to go back over the bowler's head with a straight bat. Shabnim Ismail is placed at a straightish long on. She moves to her left and takes a safe catch around her waist. Netherlands are 58/1, needing 151 runs from 73 balls.

Fuller and quicker, on off and middle. Sanya taps it to mid off.

Sloppy! Flatter and shorter, on middle. Khurana plays it on the rise to mid off. It should have been a dot but Dane Van Niekerk lets it through and concedes a couple of runs. There is a check for a short run but the Dutch pair is fine.

Fired in at the pads, on the fuller side. Khurana is beaten on the flick and wears it on the pads.

Near the tramline on off, on a good length. Khurana steps out and plays the lofted hit to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Fuller and on middle, this is driven through mid on for a single. 155 runs needed in 78 balls.

Angled into the pads, on a good length. Sanya is beaten on the flick and wears it on the pads.

Just over! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Phebe Molkenboer advances to go over mid off. Ends up slicing it off the outer half over the leaping Laura Wolvaardt at extra cover. Single taken.

Drags the length back a bit, on middle. Sanya Khurana makes room and taps it to the left of mid off for a run.

Tossed up, on off, driven with the turn to cover.

Fractionally short, on off, a bit of away turn. Molkenboer punches it to deep cover for a single.

DRINKS! Netherlands Women have been electric in the Powerplay, not shying away from playing their shots. Sanya Khurana has shown a great range of shots, while Phebe Molkenboer is also supporting her well. South Africa Women could have had a wicket, but Chloe Tryon spilled that chance, and now they will have to come up with some different plans in the middle overs. The Proteas also know that the more the margin of win, the better, but you cannot count the Dutch out, just yet, with this start. Here is Nonkululeko Mlaba to bowl now.

FOUR! That will only add to the frustration for Shabnim Ismail. Another expensive over from her, 14 runs off it. Ismail bends her back and digs it in short, over middle. Khurana tries to take on the short ball with the pull. The ball climbs onto her, and it flies over the keeper off a top edge. A hat-trick of fours to end the Powerplay, and the 50 is up for the Netherlands.

FOUR! Risk taken, and Sanya Khurana gets rewarded for it. Ismail goes full, around the off stump. Khurana walks across the stumps and takes the ball on the full. She scoops it fine of the deep fine leg fielder for four more.

FOUR! Tumi Sekhukhune's effort goes in vain. Fuller and angled into the right-hander. Khurana swipes it across the line. Gets it off the inner half through square leg. Tumi gives chase and dives but the ball wins the race.

Bowled on a length, outside off. Sanya backs away but ends up giving herself too much room. She cannot reach the ball and has to let it pass.

Nails the yorker, on off. Molkenboer glides it down to deep third for a run.

Hits the top of off. Khurana hangs back for the pull. The ball skids through and catches an inside edge before rolling to deep fine leg for a single.

Shabnim Ismail to close out the Powerplay. She conceded 13 runs in her opening over.

On a length and on middle, Sanya Khurana nudges it towards mid-wicket, where Tumi Sekhukhune lets it through for one.

Good stop! Short of a length and on off, Sanya Khurana punches it nicely wide of cover-point. Annerie Dercksen dives to her right to save a certain boundary.

Goes full again and around off, shapes away, Sanya Khurana backs away and stabs it out towards short cover.

Back of a length and outside off, Phebe Molkenboer plays it late and steers it through backward point for a single.

Full again and on middle, Phebe Molkenboer tucks it away through mid-wicket for a brace.

Big appeal for LBW, but turned down! Fuller delivery, on middle, shaping in a bit. Phebe Molkenboer looks to work it across the line, but misses and gets hit on the back pad. Laura Wolvaardt has a chat with Kapp and takes the review. Remember, Kapp is on 99 T20I wickets at the moment. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows the ball is missing the leg stump. Not Out it is!

A positive start for the Netherlands, with the opening pair asking a few questions of the South African pace attack. Marizanne Kapp to continue...

Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg, Sanya Khurana looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! A dot and a boundary have been the pattern in this over! Dug into the surface, just outside off. Sanya Khurana makes a bit of room and slaps it through covers for four more runs.

Back of a length and on middle, jags back in, Sanya Khurana does not have room and only manages to fend it down the pitch.

FOUR! Lovely batting! Ayabonga Khaka goes a bit fuller, angling into the leg side. Sanya Khurana gets cramped for room but still manages to flick it away and find the gap through mid-wicket for another boundary.

Hard length and on off, Sanya Khurana pats it down to short cover.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! This is on a good length and around off. Not full enough for a drive, but Sanya Khurana plays it on the up. Hits it uppishly but in the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

Will Shabnim Ismail continue? The answer is no. Ayabonga Khaka replaces her.

Short of a length and on middle, Sanya Khurana makes room and dabs it towards cover-point for one.

DROPPED! Marizanne Kapp gives a death stare to Chloe Tryon! Good-length delivery, on middle, straightens a bit. Sanya Khurana backs away to push it but gets a thick outside edge towards first slip. Tryon gets both hands on it but spills it out.

Pitched up and on the pads, Phebe Molkenboer flicks it away through square leg but the ball does not have enough legs to go to the fence. Tumi Sekhukhune gives a good chase and mops it up. Three taken.

Right in the blockhole, outside off, Phebe Molkenboer jams it out towards short cover.

Run out chance...missed! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Sanya Khurana clips it in front of short mid-wicket and sets off for the run. The sub fielder, Tumi Sekhukhune, gets to the ball but misses her shy at the bowler's end with Sanya not even in the frame.

Back of a length and around off, shaping away, Sanya Khurana stays back and tries to punch it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pace off, hard length and around off, Phebe Molkenboer has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Much fuller this time, on middle and leg. Phebe Molkenboer once again uses her wrists and clips it between mid on and mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Two in two! Shabnim Ismail bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Phebe Molkenboer is expecting that length, gets on top and rolls her wrists to pull it behind square on the leg side for another boundary.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Pitched up, on middle angling in a bit. Phebe Molkenboer brings her wrists into play and flicks it away with superb timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full delivery, on middle, Sanya Khurana backs away and drills it to mid off and sets off for the run. Dane Van Niekerk fails to collect it cleanly, or else there could have been a chance of a run out.

Shabnim Ismail begins with a short-of-a-length delivery, on middle. Sanya Khurana gets rushed on the pull and mistimes it towards mid on.

Shabnim Ismail will steam in from the other end.

Full again and outside off, shapes away, Phebe Molkenboer reaches out and drills it firmly but straight to short cover again. Just 2 runs off the first over!

Pitched up and on middle and off, Phebe Molkenboer pushes it to short cover.

Back of a length and outside of, Sanya Khurana guides it off the outer half of the bat to deep third for a run.

Short of a length and outside off, Phebe Molkenboer cuts it away to point. Nadine De Klerk only manages to parry it towards cover. A single taken. The Dutch are up and running!

Beauty! Goes much fuller and in the channel outside off, gets it to swing away. Phebe Molkenboer gets drawn into the drive and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Marizanne Kapp starts with a good-length delivery, around off, shapes away a bit, Phebe Molkenboer stays back and steers it to point.

Just a single to end the innings! Iris Zwilling goes full again, on off, Annerie Dercksen drills it towards long off for one. Robine Rijke is quick to get to the ball to deny any chance of a second. South Africa Women finish on a massive 208/1!

FOUR! Another one! Overpitched delivery, just outside off. Annerie Dercksen extends her arms to reach out and smacks it over extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! 200 up for South Africa Women! Goes back to the fuller length, around off. Annerie Dercksen swings hard at it, gets an outside edge that races past short third for a boundary.

Short of a length and just outside off, Tazmin Brits backs away and swats it wide of long on. Frederique Overdijk runs to her right and claws the ball back inside. Saves a few runs for her side. One taken.

Pitched up, angling into the pads, Annerie Dercksen whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on middle, takes pace off, Annerie Dercksen heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Time for the final over. Iris Zwilling to bowl. 3-0-32-0 so far for Zwilling.

SIX! Third of the over! Flighted, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Tazmin Brits clears her front leg, hits through the line, tonking it over the bowler's head for yet another maximum. 23 runs off the over.

SIX! That's just a gift! A juicy full toss, on middle. Tazmin Brits is never going to miss out on that and smokes it over the wide long on fence for half a dozen more.

Flatter, full and on middle, Tazmin Brits gets down for the swipe across the line but misses and gets hit on the body.

Short and outside off, Annerie Dercksen cuts it to point where the fielder makes a half-stop. They cross.

SIX! Connects cleanly this time! Silver Siegers serves a half-tracker, on middle. Annerie Dercksen has all the time in the world to rock back and hammer it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Silver Siegers bowls this short and on off, Annerie Dercksen moves back and slams it down the ground, but does not get the power on the shot. It goes towards long off, where Robine Rijke moves to her left but makes an absolute meal of it, trying to take it with a reverse cup and to add insult to injury, the ball rolls to the fence.

Silver Siegers (3-0-37-0) to bowl the 19th over.

Slower, short and outside off, Annerie Dercksen punches it to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! Annerie Dercksen's turn now! Pitched up and just outside off. Dercksen bends her back knee, extends her hands to get under it and carves it over the deep extra cover fence for half a dozen more.

Hard length and on off, Tazmin Brits stabs it out towards mid off and sets off for the run. The fielder misses her shy at the bowler's end, or else Brits was a goner.

Fuller and outside off, Tazmin Brits tries to heave it away but bunts it back to the bowler.

SIX! MAIDEN T20I HUNDRED FOR BRITS! She gets to it in spectacular fashion as well. Fuller delivery, on middle, Tazmin Brits clears her front leg away and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A big smile on her face and this has been a superb knock right from ball one.

Swing and a miss! Short of a length and around off, Tazmin Brits has a big swipe across the line but loses her shape and fails to connect.

An over without a boundary, only the 2nd in this innings and both have been bowled by Caroline de Lange. Pace back on through Hannah Landheer.

Not in control but safe! Slows it up, full and on off, Tazmin Brits looks to go big but slices across it. It goes in the air but drops in front of long off for one more.

Quicker, full and on off, Annerie Dercksen drills it to long off for one.

Caroline de Lange sees the batter move across, bowls this flatter, full and way outside off, keeps low too. Tazmin Brits reaches out and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, Annerie Dercksen slogs it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Drops it short and on off, Annerie Dercksen moves back and punches it through cover-point for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tazmin Brits uses her feet and lofts it to long off for a single.

Caroline de Lange (3-0-15-0) to bowl out now.

Another short delivery, around off, Tazmin Brits gives charge and thumps it to long off for one more.

Short again and just outside off, Tazmin Brits stays back and slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace. 150 up for South Africa Women!

Flatter, shortish and on off, Annerie Dercksen backs away and punches it through covers for a run.

Short again and on middle, Tazmin Brits rocks back and flat-bats it aerially but just wide of the bowler, towards long off for a single.

Drags her length back on off, Tazmin Brits uses her feet again and swats it to mid on.

FOUR! There is no stopping Tazmin Brits! Floated, full and on off, turns in. Brits takes a couple of steps out, shows the full face of the bat and lifts it over mid off for a boundary.

Shorter now, on off. Tazmin shuffles across and punches it to deep cover for a single. 16 runs off the over.

FOUR! Two in two. A bit too full, on middle. Brits springs onto the front foot and drills it with a straight bat to the right of mid off for four more.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Flighted, full and on middle, Tazmin Brits goes inside out and lofts it beautifully over extra covers for a boundary.

Flatter, short and on off, Tazmin Brits throws her bat at it but gets an outside edge wide of short third who runs back to make a sliding stop. Two taken.

FOUR! Just over! Tossed up, full and around middle, Tazmin Brits gets down on one knee and plays the slog sweep. She gets more distance on this one as it flies wide of deep square leg. The fielder runs to her left but comes in a bit too much, and the ball goes over her head for a one-bounce four.

Floated, short and outside off, Annerie Dercksen cuts it to deep point for a single.

Into the pitch again, takes all the pace off, outside off. Tazmin Brits backs away but lets it to go to the keeper. She is asking for a wide but it is a fair delivery.

FOUR! Takes the aerial route! Hannah Landheer lands this short of a length but well outside off. Tazmin Brits gets the chance to free her arms and crunches it over backward point for a boundary.

On a length and on off, Annerie Dercksen pushes it through covers for a run.

DRINKS! Finally, something to celebrate for the Dutch as they get rid of the Protea skipper. They will hope that they can pick up a few more on the bounce to contain the run flow, or else they could be chasing something really daunting here. South Africa Women have the perfect platform, and with the firepower they have, they will be looking to get more than 200. Also, Annerie Dercksen walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Maiden World Cup wicket for Hannah Landheer, and it is the big one of the South African skipper. Not the best of balls, though from Landheer. Short and wide on off. Wolvaardt gives the bowler the charge and throws her hands at the ball. It catches an outside edge and the keeper, Babette de Leede takes a safe catch to her right.

Around off, on a good length, Brits pushes it wide of extra cover for a run.

Bowled on a back of a length, on off. Wolvaardt punches it on the up to long on for a single.

Hannah Landheer (2-0-17-0) comes back into the attack.

Loopy ball, outside off. Brits goes for the reverse but ends up jamming it out on the strip.

Flighted up, on off. Tazmin stabs it down on the off side.

Keeps the stumps in play, on a length. Laura punches it to long on for one more.

Fuller and at the sticks. Tazmin gets inside the line and shovels it behind square leg for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings. A half-tracker, on off. Brits does not miss out as she stands tall and slaps it past cover for a four.

Turning away, on off, on the shorter side. Brits slams it to extra cover.

Following the right-hander, on a good length. Wolvaardt swipes it away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Run out chance missed! The Dutch fans in the stands are in absolute disbelief. Flat and short, on off and middle. Brits chops it down to backward point. Wolvaardt sets off for the run but Tazmin is caught ball-watching. Eventually, Brits responds to her partner's call and sets off for the run. The throw goes on the bounce to the bowling end, where Silver Siegers is standing ahead of the stumps. She could have broken the stumps at her end, where Brits was struggling to make her ground, but she opted to throw it at the batting end, where Wolvaardt got home in time.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flighted delivery, full and around off. Brits stays leg side and extends her hands to go inside out over cover for a boundary.

Fractionally short, on middle. Wolvaardt plays the short-arm jab to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Shorter and on off, this is cut away to deep cover for a single.

Turning back into the right-hander, on a length. Brits sweeps it to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Silver Siegers is back on. She gave away 17 runs in he first over.

FOUR LEG BYES! The 100 is up for South Africa. Dug in short but down leg. Wolvaardt gets her hands high for the pull but fails to lay any bat on it. It goes off the forearm and past short fine leg.

Oh, that could have gone back onto the stumps. On a nagging length, on off. Laura Wolvaardt makes room to go through the off side. Ends up chopping it down on the strip and the ball dribbles past the stumps.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, on the fuller side. Laura misses out on the tickle.

On a back of a length, on off. Wolvaardt punches it to point.

A single taken and that will be a FIFTY for Tazmin Brits, her 4th in T20 World Cups. Brits has gone through a slightly quieter phase over the last few overs and will now look to shift gears. Full and on off, Tazmin drives it wide of extra cover and takes a single.

Very full, on off. Brits digs it out on the off side.

In the air...but safe. Angled into the pads, on a length. Brits shapes up to work it across the line with a closed bat face. Gets a leading edge but it drops safely away from the mid off fielder to her right. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Myrthe van den Raad goes much fuller and around off. Laura Wolvaardt backs away a bit, gets her hands through the shot and smacks it wide of long off for a boundary.

Follows the batter, bowls this full and angling into the leg side. Tazmin Brits gets tucked up and clips it towads backward square leg for one.

Overpitched and around off, Laura Wolvaardt drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Full again and on middle, angling in sharply. Laura Wolvaardt gets late into her flick shot and misses to get hit on the pads. A shout for LBW, but turned down. Babette de Leede has a chat with her bowler but does not take the review.

FOUR! Edged away! Myrthe van den Raad sees the batter advance, serves this full, outside off. Laura Wolvaardt throw her hands at it, but gets an outside edge that just goes wide of the diving short third fielder for a boundary.

Hard length and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt pats it back to the bowler.

DROPPED! Dragged back, around off, Tazmin Brits slaps it uppishly and towards cover-point, where Frederique Overdijk dives forward but fails to hold onto it. The Dutch are starting to create chances here.

Floated, full and around leg, Tazmin Brits paddles it to short fine.

Tazmin Brits survives! Caroline de Lange sees the batter advance and fires this full, wide outside off. Tazmin Brits gets nowhere near the pitch of the ball and has a wild slog but misses. Babette de Leede collects it and breaks the stumps and looks confident, but the third umpire is summoned. The replay shows that Brits just about managed to get her bat in the crease on the turn.

Stumped? Babette de Leede is pretty confident. The replays find Tazmin Brits to be safe as she has plonked her bat inside the crease just before the bails were taken off.

Short again and around off, Tazmin Brits steers it away towards point.

Flatter, short and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt looks to cut it away but gets a top edge towards short third. A wayward throw at the bowling end allows the batters to run a single on the overthrow.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tazmin Brits drives it to long off for a single.

A good wide yorker, outside off, Laura Wolvaardt fails to dig it out.

Short of a length and around off, Tazmin Brits backs away and flat-bats it over the bowler's head as long on mops it up. They cross.

A high full toss, outside off, Tazmin Brits reaches out and slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace. It is called a No Ball as it was well above the waist of the batter. Free Hit up next.

Back of a length and around off, Laura Wolvaardt punches it through covers for a single.

FOUR! Streaky! Hannah Landheer serves this in the blockhole, outside off. Laura Wolvaardt tries to squeeze it away but gets an underedge past the keeper, towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Full again and outside off too, keeps a bit low, Laura Wolvaardt throws her hands at it but misses.

Fuller delivery, outside off, but just inside tramline, Laura Wolvaardt leaves it alone thinking it is a wide.

Hannah Landheer to bowl now.

Another short delivery, outside off, Tazmin Brits stabs it out to extra cover.

Goes back to the shorter length, around leg, Laura Wolvaardt moves back and nudges it through backward square leg for one.

Floated, full and around off, Tazmin Brits uses her feet, gets low and swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Tazmin Brits moves back and pushes it to short cover.

FOUR! The runs keep flowing! Caroline de Lange bowls this short again, on off. Tazmin Brits backs away, rides the bounce well and punches it sweetly through cover-point for a boundary.

Drops it short and on off, Laura Wolvaardt moves back and slaps it to long on for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! South Africa are off to an ideal start. The Dutch bowlers have struggled for consistency with their lines and lengths while repeatedly dropping short. As the field spreads after the Powerplay, the Netherlands will look to regain some control and slow the scoring. Here's the leggie Caroline de Lange after the break.

FOUR! Lovely shot! This touch fuller and on off, Tazmin Brits plants her front foot and drives it on the up with a steady head. She times it well as the ball races through the covers. The fielder in the deep dives to her right, gets both hands on it but only manages to parry it to the fence for four more runs. South Africa Women are 66 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay.

FOUR! Put away! Iris Zwilling bangs this into the pitch, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Tazmin Brits gets on top of the bounce and swats it wide of the diving mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Good-length delivery, on middle, nips back in a bit, Tazmin Brits looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the back pad.

Short of a length and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Hard length and on off, Tazmin Brits punches it through covers for a single.

Back of a length and around off, Laura Wolvaardt steps across and pulls it, but not from the middle of the bat. The ball rolls through mid-wicket as Silver Siegers chases after it and slides to stop it. Three taken.

FOUR! Put away! A half-tracker, on middle. Brits advances down the track and pulls it all along the ground past square leg for four more. The 50 is up for South Africa in 5 overs.

Flighted up, on off, on a good length. Tazmin pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Fuller and quicker, sliding onto the pads. Brits brings out the broom and plays it behind square leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Enough elevation to find the fence. Flatter and shorter, pushed through, on middle and leg. Brits steps out and adjusts well to pull it over the leaping square leg fielder.

Around the off stump, Wolvaardt punches this full ball to long off for one.

FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Looped up, a bit too full, outside off. Wolvaardt gets her hands through and cracks the drive through covers. It races away to the fence.

Change? Yes, Silver Siegers comes into the attack now.

Wider on off, on a length. Laura swings through the line and lofts it back over the bowler's head. Sterre Kalis gets around from long off and tidies up. Single taken.

Good effort! A bit short, around off. Brits cuts well but the backward point fielder dives to her left and makes the stop. Just a single.

Angled in at the hips, Brits shapes up to shovel it behind square leg but misses and wears it on the pads.

FOUR! Nicely done. Slightly too straight, on a length, drifting onto the pads. Brits makes use of the angle and picks it up over square leg for a four.

Hits the top of off and there is a bit of nip back into the right-hander. Tazmin pats it to cover.

Fuller and on middle. Tazmin clips it to square leg.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward from Iris Zwilling. Banged in short but down leg. Brits lets it go. Babette de Leede is standing up to the stumps and can only get fingertips to it. It races down to the deep fine leg fence.

Missed out! Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Wolvaardt reaches out but cuts it straight to Frederique Overdijk at backward point.

Goes full, on off. Wolvaardt drives it to mid on.

In the channel, on a back of a length. Brits taps it to deep cover and turns the strike over.

Sticks to the full ball, outside off. Laura drills it to long off and crosses over.

FOUR! Up and over! Rijke pitches it up, outside off. Wolvaardt shimmies down the track and, with a clean swing of the arms, she launches it over mid on. One bounce and over the ropes.

Into the surface, outside off. Brits flat bats it to long on for one.

Angled in on a good length, on middle and leg. Brits nudges it wide of square leg and picks up a single.

Wide! Shaping away, on a nagging length, near the tramline. Brits lets it go. Wide given, much to the surprise of the bowler.

In and around the off stump, on a length. Tazmin eases it to short cover.

Pushes the length up, on off. Laura punches it away to long off and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Gets it away! Iris Zwilling drags the length back, on off and middle. Wolvaardt gives the bowler the charge and stands tall on top of the bounce to pull it to the left of square leg for a four.

A bit fuller, on middle. Wolvaardt knocks it to mid on.

Right on the money. A hint of away shape, on a length, on off and middle. Brits pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.

Iris Zwilling will share the attack.

Pushed through, on a good length, on off. This is punched to long on for a single.

FOUR! Put away! A bit too short, on off. Brits gets on top of the bounce by pressing on the back foot and cuts it past point for the first boundary of the game.

Gets it through! Dropped short, on off. Brits flashes hard at the ball and it goes a bit uppishly but through the gap between short third and backward point. Two fielders give chase and one of them slides to flick the ball away from the fence. A slight fumble while picking the ball up for the fielder backing up, but that does not cost the Dutch any extra runs.

On a length, on middle and leg. Laura works it to long on for a single.

Beaten! Fuller and a bit of away drift, outside off. Laura drives away from her body and is beaten.

Runs straight away. A loosener by Frederique Overdijk, a half-tracker, outside off. Wolvaardt stands tall and slaps it to cover, where a fumble by the fielder allows the batters to collect a couple of runs. A better throw at the bowling end could have found Brits in trouble.

All in readiness now! The Dutch team are in a huddle before they head out and take up the fielding spots assigned to them. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits are the two openers South Africa Women. Frederique Overdijk has the new ball in hand and it will be spin first up here. Let's play...

The giant flags of both nations unfurl as the players walk out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the Netherlands' first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa.

A quick chat - South Africa's Tazmin Brits acknowledges that every game at a World Cup is a must-win and says the side is up for the challenge. Mentions that the victory over India was a much-needed one and showed they are ready for the fight. Having sat out the first two matches, she admits she was very nervous during the chase against India but credits Marizanne Kapp for making things much easier at the other end. Brits shares that they have gone through a bit of video analysis ahead of this game, but after all, it is about sticking to the basics with both bat and ball. When asked whether net run rate has been a topic of discussion, she says the coaches have told the players not to think about it.

PITCH REPORT - Alison Mitchell is pitchside. She notes that this is the fourth match in Bristol at this year's World Cup and the first appearance at the venue for both teams. A heatwave continues to grip the city, with temperatures expected to soar to 37 degrees Celsius. In terms of dimensions, the shorter boundary lies behind square at 59 meters, while the 62-metre extra-cover boundary could come into play due to the strong breeze blowing in that direction. The straight hit is 70 meters. Ian Smith joins her and observes that the pitch has changed noticeably because of the intense heat, with the surface taking on a much browner look since the previous evening. He feels there could be some assistance early on for the Netherlands' new-ball bowlers, while the spinners are also expected to enjoy the extra bounce that has been a feature of this venue throughout the tournament. Reckons that South Africa Women will have to be greedy and score something around 160-170 on this pitch.

The skipper of South Africa Women - Laura Wolvaardt says that they don't mind batting first. Adds that the wicket looks pretty dry and hopefully they can put up a good score on the board. Mentions that it was a tight game against India, but getting over the line was huge for them, and hopefully, they can continue the momentum. Wolvaardt shares that the priority is to win the game, and they will have a look at NRR when the time comes, but they need to play positive cricket and win both matches.

The captain of Netherlands Women - Babette de Leede says that they will bowl first as they want to get a better understanding of how the pitch plays. She adds that the side had a good training session at the same time last evening, which helped with their preparations, and says everyone is happy to be here. Mentions that facing South Africa is a little easier, having played domestic cricket alongside several of their players. Informs that Heather Siegers misses out due to illness, while Isabel Van Der Woning also sits out.

South Africa Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane Van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Netherlands Women (Playing XI) - Phebe Molkenboer, Sanya Khurana (In for Heather Siegers), Babette de Leede (C/WK), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Myrthe van den Raad, Hannah Landheer (In for Isabel Van Der Woning), Caroline de Lange, Silver Siegers.

TOSS - Netherlands Women have won the toss and elected to BOWL first.

A quick recap - Earlier in the day at Old Trafford, India Women strengthened their semi-final hopes with a win over Bangladesh Women. The result puts a little extra pressure on South Africa, though their equation remains unchanged, they still need to win both of their remaining matches and may yet have to rely on net run rate. Bangladesh fought hard after posting 136/8, but Shafali Verma's excellent half-century and Jemimah Rodrigues' late flourish ensured the Women in Blue got over the line.

Semifinal push - With two games remaining, if South Africa win both and Australia beat India, they will secure a semifinal berth without net run rate coming into the equation. A heavy defeat to Australia, followed by a hard-fought win over Pakistan, left them with ground to make up on net run rate should qualification come down to it. They will therefore be keen to register a convincing win over the Netherlands and boost their net run rate. Stick around for the toss and team news.

More than pride at stake - The Netherlands are out of semifinal contention, but there is still plenty to play for. With two group games remaining, the Dutch will be keen to finish their maiden Women's T20 World Cup campaign on a positive note while continuing to gain valuable experience against top opposition. There is also an outside chance of securing direct qualification for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup by finishing in the top eight, although that appears a long shot given their inferior net run rate.

Greetings, all - Welcome to Bristol for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. It is South Africa taking on the Netherlands in Match 24 of the Women's T20 World Cup. The objectives could hardly be more different for the two sides heading into this contest, but let's hope for an entertaining game of cricket.

... MATCH DAY ...

A clash of ambitions - Dutch dreamers meet Proteas fire in Bristol, with very different objectives driving the two sides. One is aspiring to reach the semifinals, while the other is looking to make the most of a maiden Women's T20 World Cup appearance and continue its growth on the global stage. It was a bumpy start to the campaign for South Africa, with a defeat to Australia followed by a scrappy win over Pakistan. However, their victory over India, and a much-needed one at that, has significantly boosted their semifinal hopes. If they win their remaining two games and Australia beat India, the Proteas will secure qualification without net run rate coming into the equation. As for the Netherlands, semifinal qualification is no longer possible. Given their poor net run rate, even if they win their remaining two games, they have only a slim chance of finishing in the top eight and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup. The Dutch also have a history of producing memorable upsets against South Africa on the men's side of things at World Cups. While the circumstances are different here, the Babette de Leede-led unit will take inspiration from those results and look to test a South African side carrying the pressure of expectation. Experience leading the way - Opening partnerships were a concern for South Africa in the first couple of games, with Sune Luus struggling to make an impact at the top of the order. The move to bring Tazmin Brits into the opening slot paid dividends to an extent against India. While she was not at her fluent best, her contribution helped lay the foundation for the chase alongside Marizanne Kapp. The bigger boost came from the middle order finally clicking. Kapp's match-winning innings against India eased some of the pressure on a batting unit that had looked short on confidence earlier in the tournament. With Laura Wolvaardt, Brits and Kapp all having spent valuable time in the middle, South Africa will hope their batting is beginning to peak at just the right time. A potent bowling unit - In the pace attack, it has been the experienced pairing of Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail that has done much of the damage. Ismail's decision to come out of international retirement for this World Cup has only strengthened an already formidable South African attack. Known for her knack of breaking partnerships, Nadine De Klerk has been slightly expensive at times but remains an important part of the attack. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has once again shown her value by keeping things tight through the middle overs and providing control when required. Valuable lessons - For the Dutch, the games against India and Australia have highlighted the gulf that still exists between the established powers and the emerging sides. At the same time, these are the kinds of contests that provide the biggest learning opportunities and help identify the areas that need improvement. Captain Babette de Leede has risen admirably to the challenge of facing some of the world's best bowling attacks. The unbeaten 56 against Australia, arguably the strongest bowling unit in the competition, would have done her confidence a world of good. The knock also came in her 100th T20I, making it an even more memorable occasion. Searching for more support - After a quiet start to the tournament, Sterre Kalis found form against Australia and shared a 96-run partnership with de Leede. It was a reminder of the quality within the Dutch batting lineup when things click. However, the Netherlands will need their opening pair of Phebe Molkenboer and Heather Siegers to come good. Collective effort required - With the ball, Iris Zwilling and Caroline de Lange have once again been among the standout performers. It is no coincidence that two of the Netherlands' most prolific wicket-takers over the past year in T20Is have also made the biggest impact at this tournament. If the Dutch are to push South Africa all the way, they will need more than just individual brilliance. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - SA - WWLWL | NED - LLLLL. Conditions watch - Bristol has been one of the more spin-friendly venues at this World Cup, with 17 of the 29 wickets to have fallen here so far going to spin. That is not to say the seamers have been out of the game, though. There has been enough assistance on offer with the new ball to keep them interested. The scoring rate has also been lower compared to some of the other venues. The last time they met - This will be only the second T20I meeting between these two sides, with the previous encounter coming all the way back in 2010, which South Africa won comfortably. Remarkably, Marizanne Kapp and Dane Van Niekerk are the only players from either side who featured in that match and remain part of the current South African setup. 16 years on, the two sides meet again under very different circumstances.