South Africa Qualify for Final of Women's Cricket World Cup: South Africa defeated England by 125 runs to enter the final of the Women's World Cup. In the first semi-final match played on Wednesday, South Africa scored 319 runs for seven wickets in 50 overs on the strength of captain Laura Volwardt's century. In reply, England managed to score only 194 runs in 42.3 overs and were all out. During this time, Marijan Cup took five wickets and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets for South Africa. At the same time, Aybonga Khaka, Mlaba and Sune Luce achieved one success each.
England won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first. South Africa got off to a good start, but with 3 wickets falling within 3 runs and the pressure on the team, the skipper stayed put and only returned to the pavilion after pushing the score close to 300. Tajmin Britts scored 45, Marijane 42 and Chloe Tryon 33 not out. For England, Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets and Lauren Bell took two wickets. Marijan was awarded the player of the match award for her brilliant performance.
England got off to a poor start chasing the target. He lost three wickets for no runs. Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight are not open. Top scorer for England was Syver Brunt (64). Alice Capsey (50) also scored a half-century. Daniel Wyatt Hodge contributed 34 runs and Lynsey Smith 27 runs. Earlier, South Africa scored 319 for seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Wohlfart played a mammoth knock of 169 runs. He faced 143 balls, including 20 fours and four sixes.
South Africa, who finished third in the league stage, ended the league stage with 10 points. Now this team has become the first finalist. South Africa won five out of seven matches and lost two in the league stage. England defeated South Africa by 10 wickets in the league stage. South Africa were bowled out for 69 runs in that match. But now the Proteas have avenged that defeat.
South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, expresses her delight after the win, saying it was 'very special' and a sweet revenge against the team that had beaten them in the last two World Cup semi-finals. She admits that the memory of their 69 all-out loss did linger, but losing the toss didn't bother her too much, as she would have opted to bowl anyway. Wolvaardt stresses the importance of having runs on the board in a knockout game and was pleased with her bowlers' performance. She highlights the strong partnerships that defined the game, particularly the opening stand between her and Tazmin Brits. Shares that although they lost a few quick wickets, Marizanne Kapp's incredible batting took the pressure off her and allowed her to play freely. Adds that with a strong batting line-up to come, she decided to take advantage and play aggressively, and she was thrilled with how it ended.
"Feels a bit unreal. This is the sort of thing you dream of when you are a kid. Scoring a hundred in the World Cup and the fact that it came in the semifinal makes it even more special," Laura Wolvaardt says after winning Player of the Match award.
