World Cup 2022 | Report - Day 4 | Warm-ups
Written By: Ritwika Dhar
Date: 02-03-2022
Picture Courtesy: Getty Images
Match 7 – South Africa vs England | England picked up an easy victory over proteas by 6 wickets
On the final day of the warm-ups, England took on South Africa at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. England won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first. As the match was delayed by constant drizzle, the game was eventually reduced to 35 overs per side.
In these overcast conditions, England bowlers made the most out of it. The pace quartet of Brunt-Sciver-Cross-Shrubsole caused a collapse and cleaned up South Africa's top-order early. With some valuable contributions from the bat of South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp (52 off 60) and Chloe Tryon (27 off 39), they put up a total of 138-9 in 35 overs. Ecclestone took a 3-for.
Given the batting depth the English team have, this total couldn’t throw much of a challenge despite early wickets and economical bowling. At one stage, they were 34/2. But England recovered well as Tammy Beaumont (35 off 45), Nat Sciver (33 off 36), and a cameo from Amy Jones (20 off 16) got them through to victory.
England chased down the total in 26.2 overs with 6 wickets in hand and finished their warm-ups by winning both games. Whereas a plethora of problems exist for the Proteas who lost both their warm-up games. In the absence of Dane van Niekerk and Lizelle Lee who didn't play any of their warm-up games, this team needs to rebuild quickly.
The two also played a mock super over where England scored 10/1 courtesy of Amy Jones 9*. In response, Sophie Ecclestone restricted South Africa to 6/1.
Brief Scorecard:
South Africa- 138/9 (35) M. Kapp 52 (60), C. Tryon 27 (39); S. Ecclestone 3/23 (7), A. Shrubsole 2/18 (7)
England- 139/6 (26.2) T. Beaumont 35 (45), N. Sciver 33 (36); A. Khaka 2/8 (4), M. Klass 1/19 (4)

Match 8 – Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Pakistan pulled off a nerve-wracking victory in a low scoring thriller
Due to the rain, today’s 2nd warm-up game between Pakistan and Bangladesh was also reduced to 42 overs per side. After winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bat first. Bangladeshi spinner Fariha Trishna dismissed all their top 3 batters and at the end of the powerplay, they were 38-3. But Pakistan's senior pros, Bismah Maroof (32 off 44) and Javeria Khan (44 off 62) took the charge in the middle and took them beyond the three-figure mark. Later, all-rounders Aliya Riaz (45 off 50) and Fatima Sana (29 off 33) steered them to a challenging total of 199-7 in 42 overs.
In the ODIs, Pakistan have a worrisome record against the Bangladesh team. Last year in the World Cup Qualifiers, they couldn't defend their total. And Bangladesh with the same aplomb started off their innings. Their in-form batter Fargana Hoque (71 off 95) and Rumana Ahmed (30 off 36) were cruising at one stage. But Pakistani bowlers were able to take wickets at regular intervals. With a sharp run-out in the last over, Pakistan won by 7 runs. Fatima Sana, last year's ICC Emerging Player was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.
Brief Scorecard:
Pakistan- 199/7 (42) A. Riaz 45 (50), J. Khan 44 (62); R. Moni 3/35 (9), F. Trishna 3/40 (8)
Bangladesh- 194 (42) F. Hoque 71 (95), R. Ahmed 30 (36); F. Sana 4/47 (9), N. Sandhu 3/22 (8.2)
