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England suffered a semi-final exit at the Women’s Cricket World Cup after Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp helped South Africa to a 125-run victory in Guwahati.
Wolvaardt smashed 169 from 143 deliveries, the highest-ever score from a South African at a Women’s World Cup, to help the Proteas – who lost the toss – recover from 202-6 to post a commanding 319-7 from their 50 overs.
Kapp added a quickfire 42 before making the dream start with the ball, removing Amy Jones and Heather Knight in a double-wicket maiden, before Tammy Beaumont also departed without scoring as England slumped to 1-3 after just seven balls of their chase.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) led the fightback and put on a 107-run stand with Alice Capsey (50), who fell immediately after completing her half-century, but Kapp returned to remove England’s captain and spark another flurry of wickets.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (34) and Linsey Smith (27) offered late cameos ahead of England being eventually dismissed for 194 in the 43rd over, as South Africa progressed to a meeting against either Australia or India in Sunday’s final.
How South Africa stormed to World Cup final
South Africa were skittled for 69 when the sides met in the group stage but surpassed that total inside 13 overs, with Wolvaardt reaching her fourth consecutive World Cup half-century from just 52 deliveries as part of a strong opening stand with Tazmin Brits.
The pair’s partnership ended when Brits (45) was bowled looking to reverse sweep Ecclestone (4-44), who overcame a shoulder injury to feature for an unchanged England, with Anneke Bosch – brought in as an extra batter – bowled in the same over without scoring.
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A superb over of bowling from Sophie Ecclestone, as she took two big wickets to end South Africa’s fast start to their innings
Sune Luus’ attempted pull at Sciver-Brunt in the next over saw her bowled to leave South Africa 119-3, with Marizanne Kapp adding 42 from 33 deliveries until she was caught by Dean trying to heave Ecclestone down the ground.
Sinalo Jafta (one) was bowled by Lauren Bell, with Wolvaardt completing her maiden World Cup century the over before Dercksen was (four) bowled trying to reverse sweep Ecclestone.
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The best of Laura Wolvaardt’s historic century during South Africa’s World Cup victory over England in Guwahati
Sensational acceleration from Wolvaardt saw her fire Linsey Smith for four consecutive boundaries, with her incredible innings ended when she picked out Capsey at long-on, while late cameos from Chloe Tryon (33 from 26) and Nadine de Klerk (11 from six) set England a record target to chase.
Kapp (5-20) sent South Africa into dreamland by bowling Jones and Knight without scoring, with Tammy Beaumont edging Ayabonga Khaka behind to leave England three down after just seven deliveries.
Capsey was dropped by Shangase at long-on when on 28 and Sciver-Brunt narrowly avoid being run out in the same delivery, with the England pair surviving the scare to pass 100 and complete their half-centuries in the 22nd over.
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South Africa’s Nondumiso Shangase drops England’s Alice Capsey before Nat Sciver-Brunt was almost run out in the same delivery
That same Luus over saw Capsey try to heave down the ground and find De Klerk at mid-off, with England’s hopes fading further when Sciver-Brunt edged Kapp behind to leave them 138-5.
Kapp removed Sophia Dunkley (two) and Charlie Dean (nought) in successive deliveries to become the leading wicket-taker of this year’s World Cup, with Mlaba sending England eight down when Ecclestone (two) was caught by Dercksen in the deep.
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South Africa took back-to-back wickets against England to take further control of their semi-final
Wyatt-Hodge’s innings ended when she picked out Tumi Sekhukhune in the deep and Smith was the last wicket to fall, both falling to De Klerk, as South Africa booked their spot in the final for the first time in their history.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The other Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final takes place on Thursday, with Australia facing co-hosts India in Navi Mumbai (live on Sky Sports Cricket from 9am, first ball at 9.30am).
The winner then faces South Africa in Sunday’s final, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 9am (first ball 9.30am). Stream cricket, football, golf and more contract-free with NOW.
