South Africa’s Proteas Women produced a cricketing masterclass to shock defending champions England and storm into their first-ever Cricket World Cup final with a commanding 125-run victory on Wednesday.
In a performance that will go down as one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history, captain Laura Wolvaardt delivered the innings of her life, smashing an unbeaten 169 to guide South Africa to 319 for 7 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. England, overwhelmed by pressure and precision bowling, were bundled out for 194 in under 40 overs.
England entered the semi-final as heavy favourites, aiming for their fourth straight World Cup final. But South Africa, inspired by their captain’s brilliance and Marizanne Kapp’s stunning opening spell, flipped the script in spectacular fashion.
Wolvaardt’s knock, her highest in One-Day Internationals, was a showcase of timing, temperament, and authority. Facing 143 deliveries, she struck 18 fours and 2 sixes, building partnerships that rescued the innings after a shaky start and steering the team to a total England never came close to matching.
Her landmark innings also saw her become just the third woman to surpass 150 runs in a World Cup semi-final, underlining her status as one of the finest batters in world cricket.
If Wolvaardt set the tone, Kapp delivered the killer blow. Opening the bowling with fierce intent, she made history with a double-wicket maiden, dismissing both Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks in successive balls. England’s chase began in disaster, 0 for 2 after six balls, and never recovered.
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England’s famed batting depth crumbled under the pressure. The middle order, which had anchored so many of their victories, collapsed as the Proteas’ disciplined bowling attack tightened the screws. The defending champions managed just seven boundaries across their innings, a stark contrast to South Africa’s free-flowing stroke play that produced 22 fours and two sixes.
Statistically, the result was as emphatic as it was historic: England suffered their heaviest defeat by runs in a World Cup semi-final, while their total of 194 marked their lowest knockout score since 2009.
For South Africa, their total of 319 ranks as the seventh-highest in World Cup semi-final history, and Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 169 stands as the highest score by a South African in a semi-final.
As the Proteas prepare to face either Australia or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, belief within the camp has never been higher. After years of heartbreak in major tournaments, South Africa’s women have finally broken the barrier, and they did it in unforgettable fashion.
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Written by Aiden Daries
First published by Cape {Town} etc
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