Women World Cup
England stares at elimination after close defeat to SA
|| AFP ||
Defending champions England were on the brink of Women's Cricket World Cup elimination Monday.
England suffered their third straight defeat of the tournament in New Zealand when South Africa held on for a nail-biting three-wicket win in Mount Maunganui.
England captain Heather Knight said she was "gutted" after another agonising loss, admitting the odds were firmly against the 2017 champions making the playoffs.
"It's not through lack of effort, I guess we shot ourselves in the foot at times in the field," she said.
"We're going to have to turn things around and keep believing there's a small chance we can go through."
South Africa have emerged as the tournament dark horses with three successive victories and are second only to Australia in the standings.
Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones scored half centuries for England but South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp took five for 45 to limit them to 235-9.
Laura Wolvaardt's 77 set up South Africa to chase down the target with a thrilling four balls to spare.