Proteas Face Uphill Battle As Marx Pushes For Improvement

Obakeng Meletse

Proteas bowler Eliz-Mari Marx has emphasised the need for substantial improvements in both bowling and batting if South Africa hopes to level the three-match T20I series against England.

After a narrow four-wicket loss to the former world champions in the first T20I, the South African senior womens team is gearing up for a pivotal second match at Willowmore Park in Benoni today, which is set to commence at 6pm.

The Proteas women have never bested England in any bilateral series, and will require victories in the next two matches to secure their first-ever series win. Despite having the visitors on the back foot at one stage, reducing them to 64/4, South Africa could not capitalise, allowing England to stage a comeback, largely thanks to Nat Sciver-Brunts half-century 59 off 54, which proved decisive.

In their batting innings, the Proteas struggled to find the boundary, with English spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean exerting significant control over the middle overs. The pair bowled an impressive eight overs, conceding just 39 runs and effectively stifling South Africa's scoring opportunities.