England’s death bowling faltered spectacularly under pressure, allowing Laura Wolvaardt to blast 69 runs from 28 balls and set up South Africa’s historic 125-run semi-final victory. The Proteas captain finished with 169, steering her team to their first-ever 50-over World Cup final.
After an inspiring four-wicket spell from an injured Sophie Ecclestone, England had South Africa on the ropes at 202 for six. With Ecclestone bowled out, England needed their other bowlers to step up and restrict the total.
They couldn’t. Wolvaardt launched a ferocious assault, taking 20 runs off Linsey Smith’s 47th over alone. She and the tail enders hammered the bowling, pushing the total to 319 for seven, a score that changed the entire complexion of the game.
Faced with this mammoth target, England’s batters crumbled instantly. Marizanne Kapp delivered a lethal opening spell, including a double-wicket maiden, to leave England at one for three. The top three batters all departed for ducks.
Kapp, who also became the all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker, finished with five for 20. Despite a maiden fifty from Alice Capsey, England were bowled out for 194, their World Cup hopes dashed by Wolvaardt’s blitz and Kapp’s brilliance.
