Women’s World Cup: Lisa Keightley says buck stops with her as England face elimination

England head coach Lisa Keightley admitted “the buck lies with me” after their third straight defeat left the defending champions on the brink of elimination from the Women’s World Cup.
South Africa had not beaten England for over 20 years in a Women’s World Cup, but chased down England’s 235 with four balls remaining to claim a three-wicket victory.
England will again be left to rue fielding errors, allowing Laura Wolvaardt three lifelines on her way to what proved to be a match-winning 77.
Highlights from today’s defeat to South Africa 👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 14, 2022
Heather Knight’s side also dropped Deandra Dottin during the previous defeat against the West Indies, among other errors, but Keightley did not have an answer as to why the mistakes have crept into the team.
Women’s World Cup malaise a mystery
“We haven’t really put our finger on it. We have fielded pretty well throughout the Ashes and took a lot more chances than we have today,” the England head coach said.
“The last two days we trained really well and the girls have been up and about putting a lot of effort in and we just haven’t got the rewards in the games when it matters.
“I don’t really know to be sure, it is something that we’ll have to think about when we review after the World Cup.”
#MomentumProteas make it three from three🤩
📷 ICC/Getty#SAvENG #CWC22 #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/QmUYQaVBmx
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 14, 2022
After defeats to Australia and the West Indies in the first two matches of the tournament, England now require other results to go their way to have any chance of qualifying for a semi-final spot.
Coach takes responsibility for Women’s World Cup misfire
Keightley assumed responsibility for England’s faltering title defence.
“As a coach I take a huge amount of responsibility, it’s up to me to drive the team and get the wins on the board, that’s the job of the coach and we’re trying really hard – the coaching staff and myself – to get the players up and about.
“We don’t have to do too much, the players are pretty gutted and they were gutted after the last match and wanted to bounce back and were unable to do it.
“But the responsibility and the buck lies with me and I’m happy to cop that, moving forward – I don’t feel any more pressure than what the players feel and I’m no more disappointed than the players.
🚨 RESULT | #MomentumProteas WIN BY 3 WICKETS
🇿🇦 The #MomentumProteas held their nerve in an epic encounter to record their highest-ever chase and reach England’s target of 235 to remain unbeaten at #CWC22
📷 ICC/Getty#SAvENG #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/xmZJUTgqQr
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 14, 2022
“We came into this World Cup to play better than we have and we haven’t and it’s been frustrating, for myself and the coaching staff and frustrating for the players.
“We just for some reason haven’t clicked and we’re finding it really hard to do so, but we’ll keep fighting and we’ll keep training hard in between and talking to the players, it will be great to bounce back and come out against India and put the pressure on them.”
Kapp the hero
Marizanne Kapp finished with five wickets from her 10 overs as well as making a crucial 32 with the bat to help guide South Africa over the line and said she urged her team-mates not to attack too early.
“Over the last year we have chased well and when I was out in the middle and we needed 80 runs, just for the batters if we can take it as deep as possible and not try and go too early we’ll get over the line,” the all-rounder said.
“Under lights it was coming on really nicely. Earlier in the day we saw the slower ball sitting in the wickets and under lights that took that away, but the batters in there just needed not to go too early.”
Latest
-
England
England spinner Jack Leach ‘having too much fun to get ill now’
The Somerset spinner was hospitalised the last time he toured New Zealand with England.
-
Women's Cricket
Sarah Glenn hopes aggressive mindset helps England do ‘something really special’
Jon Lewis’ squad play their final warm-up against New Zealand in Cape Town.
-
England
Michael Vaughan set to be only charged individual to appear at racism hearing
A hearing has been confirmed to take place between March 1 and 9.
-
New Zealand
Kyle Jamieson hoping for more exciting cricket as Brendon McCullum returns to NZ
England face New Zealand in a two-Test series.
-
Australia
Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch retires from international cricket
The 36-year-old skippered Australia in 76 T20 internationals, more than any other men’s player.
-
England
On this day in 2017: Sir Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain
Cook’s 59 Tests in charge made him the nation’s longest-serving captain at the time.
-
England
Hoggard and Bresnan withdraw as ECB racism process ‘has failed everybody’
The case is due to be heard in public by a Cricket Discipline Commission panel at the start of next month.
-
England
ECB’s Azeem Rafiq racism investigation has ‘failed everyone’ – Matthew Hoggard
Ex-England player Hoggard has withdrawn his co-operation from the process.
-
County Cricket
Ex-England and Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard pulls out of racism hearing
Hoggard was charged by the ECB in June.
-
Women's Cricket
Jon Lewis keen to take World Cup fight to dominant Australia
England open their campaign against the West Indies on February 11.