Women's World Cup: South Africa stun England, make maiden final

GUWAHATI: Opening their Women’s World Cup with a 10-wicket loss to the same opponents at the same venue four weeks ago, South Africa brought out their A game this time to beat England by 125 runs in the first semifinal here at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday to make the final.

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The thumping win was highlighted by skipper Laura Wolvaardt ’s maiden World Cup century and Marizanne Kapp ’s allround performance. While Wolvaardt scored 169 off 143 balls to set a daunting 320-run target for England, Kapp first scored 42 off 33 balls and then took 5/20 in 7 overs to dismiss the four-time champions for 194. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey joined hands to put up some resistance but that wasn’t enough as England made heavy weather of an already difficult chase. Kapp set the tone of South Africa’s defence, opening with a double-wicket maiden over. She castled openers Amy Jones and Heather Knight, in the first over. Ayabonga Khaka sent back opener Tammy Beumont with her first ball in the second over. England were gasping at 1/3, their chase in tatters.

It was a perfect start for the Proteas to book their maiden final berth in ODI World Cup. However, Sciver-Brunt and Capsey combined for a crucial 107-run partnership to stoke England’s hopes. But with Capsey’s departure to spinner Sune Luus in the 23rd over, South Africa clawed back in the game.

Kapp then returned for her second spell to dismiss Sciver-Brunt and virtually put England out of the contest. In her seventh over. She was on a hat-trick dismissing Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean with consecutive balls. Sophie Ecclestone denied Kapp the feat, but it was already a starry night for the Proteas all-rounder. She now has 43 ODI World Cup wickets, which eclipsed the long-standing record of Jhulan Goswami (41).

Earlier, South African captain Wolvaardt scored her maiden World Cup century to help South Africa post 319/7. In a magnificent knock of 169 off 143 balls, the captain hit 20 fours and four maximums. She drove, cut and swept effortlessly all around the park to bring her 10th ODI ton in 115 balls before shifting gears. She needed just 28 balls for the next 69 runs.