England women’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after a three-wicket defeat by South Africa

England women’s hopes of defending their World Cup title are on a knife edge after they suffered a third straight group-game defeat. 

Heather Knight’s side batted first in at the Bay Oval and posted 235 for nine from their 50 overs, with Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones hitting half-centuries.

However, the 2017 champions were kept in check by Marizanne Kapp, who recorded figures of five for 45 from her 10 overs.

England posted 235 from 50 overs but saw their total chased down with four balls to spare

Tammy Beaumont (right) and Amy Jones (left) hit half-centuries for Heather Knight’s side

In reply South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt hit 77, though she was dropped three times by England before also surviving a missed stumping chance.

However, wickets from Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole, Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone, as well as a Katherine Brunt run out made for a tense finish.

But wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty – who hit the winning runs over the legside – and Shabnim Ismail saw their side home to a three-wicket win with four balls to spare. 

It therefore confirmed another damaging defeat for the 2017 champions, who remain on zero points following previous losses to Australia and West Indies.

Marizanne Kapp recorded figures of five for 45 from her 10 overs to keep England in check

But 77 from South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt ensured their chase got off to a steady start

The round-robin format of the group stage still offers England the chance of finishing among the top four sides that will qualify for the semi-final.

But they have their backs very much against the wall with India up on Wednesday before facing hosts New Zealand on Saturday. 

England captain Knight told Sky Sports after the defeat: ‘It puts us in a tough position. I’ll be honest, it’s painful losing three close games in a row.

‘At times we shot ourselves in the foot with our fielding. You can’t give a player like Laura Wolvaardt that many chances, because she will make you pay.

But the South Africa opener was dropped three times before she was finally dismissed

‘We are gutted with the situation. It’s not through lack of effort or lack of graft but we have got another game very quickly and we’ve got to try and turn it around. Other games have got to go our way now, but there is still a chance and we will keep believing.

‘I would’ve liked 15-20 more runs. They bowled well at the death, but we lost key wickets at key times going into those final 10 overs. Amy and Tammy batted brilliantly, their partnership was outstanding, but we just couldn’t quite get over the line.

‘We’ve got no other option than to turn it around very quickly and win that game against India. We are gutted, there will be some sad faces, but we’ve got to get everyone up and ready to come out fighting.

‘Things haven’t quite gone our way, but we haven’t been good enough in certain areas so we’ve got to do better and put that right for the next game.’

But wickets – including the run out of Chloe Tryon by Katherine Brunt – kept England in contest

But Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty held their nerve to see their side home at the Bay Oval