A half-century from Natalie Sciver-Brunt helped England stay unbeaten at the Women's T20 World Cup as they beat India by 11 runs ©Getty Images

England and Australia remain unbeaten at the International Cricket Council Women’s T20 World Cup after victories against India and hosts South Africa respectively.

The first match of a double-header at St George’s Park in Gqeberha pitted the two unbeaten teams in Group Two together, with something having to give between England and India.

After being put in to bat England compiled 151 for seven off their 20 overs, with Natalie Sciver-Brunt top scoring with 50.

England were in early trouble after Renuka Singh Thakur took three early wickets, reducing England to 29 for three.

Sciver-Brunt led the fightback, which included a contribution of 40 by Amy Jones, but as England looked to finish the innings with a flourish Thakur took two wickets in the final three balls to complete her five-wicket haul.

Opener Smriti Mandhana led the India fightback with 52 off 41 balls, but the introduction of England’s spinners slowed the scoring.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh made an unbeaten 47 off 34 deliveries, but helped by an economical spell from Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s top-ranked T20 international bowler, of one for 14 off four overs, England kept their opponents in check, with India coming up 11 runs short of their target.

A knock of 57 from Tahlia McGrath helped Australia beat South Africa and complete an unbeaten group stage ©Getty Images
A knock of 57 from Tahlia McGrath helped Australia beat South Africa and complete an unbeaten group stage ©Getty Images

In the second game of the day holders Australia confirmed top spot in Group One with a six-wicket win against hosts South Africa.

After being put in to bat, South Africa compiled 124 for six off their 20 overs with Tazmin Brits top scoring with 45.

Brits and her opening partner Laura Wolvaardt added 54 for the opening wicket before South Africa lost regular wickets and saw boundaries dry up.

Australia got off to an uncertain and slow start, being reduced to 40 for three in the seventh over, with two wickets for Marizanne Kapp.

A blistering knock of 57 runs off 33 balls for Tahlia McGrath, which included ten fours, put Australia back in control.

Aided by an unbeaten 28 off 29 balls from Ashleigh Gardner, Australia comfortably got home with three and a half overs to spare to complete an unbeaten group stage.

A double bill of matches are scheduled tomorrow at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl, with Pakistan taking on the West Indies in Group Two, before New Zealand face a Sri Lanka side who can take a big step towards the semi-finals with a win, in Group One.