Anya Shrubsole took three late wickets as England women held their nerve to pull off a 15-run win in the first Twenty20 International against South Africa in Paarl.
England appeared under pressure at Boland Park as their hosts reached 96 for none by the 15th over, in pursuit of 147 for seven.
But Shrubsole returned to take three for nine in her second spell as South Africa faltered to 129 for six - and Sarah Taylor's unbeaten 74 proved a telling factor after all for the tourists, in this opening match of three on successive days.
Number three Taylor hit 11 fours from 51 balls as England eked out a defendable total, having found themselves 41 for three and then 81 for five after being put in.
Taylor and tail-ender Shrubsole engineered a big finish to England's innings, taking 18 from Shabnim Ismail's final over.
Dane van Niekerk (52) and Trisha Chetty, with 46, then got the chase off to sound start - albeit with the run-rate spiralling, as they each operated at just over a run a ball.
After Shrubsole (three for 25) came back to have Van Niekerk caught in the deep, and then Chetty fell lbw in the next over to Jenny Gunn, no other batter could muster double figures.
England therefore have the opportunity to wrap up the series if they can win again at Newlands on Friday to open up an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Source: PA
