Another nail-biter, another critical victory, as South Africa notch up their 5th win in the World Cup to knock India out of the tournament.
Shining during the intense moments has been a trend with the Proteas in this Women’s WC, as they’ve successfully chased down 275 in another electric final-over showdown.
South Africa have sealed their second position on the log, and this victory has unfortunately drawn the curtains on India’s campaign.
It was a familiar beginning, as Lizelle Lee was run out in the 5th over. But much to the Proteas’ relief and delight, Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall flourished at the crease. Having come in for Tazmin Brits, Goodall was trusted to play a steadier role at No 3.
While Wolvaardt was employing her natural approach and scoring her boundaries, Goodall kept the score moving and was fluent through the leg side.
The dream tournament for Wolvaardt continued, and she’s topping the run chart with an aggregate total of 433 runs in 7 games. It’s currently the all-time 5th-best total in a Women’s WC, and at 22, the young opener has rewritten history.
Wolvaardt and Goodall added 125 runs which was the first century partnership for SA in this event. However, India staged a passionate fightback, as the introduction of Harmanpreet Kaur’s offspin alongside Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s left-arm spin sent both set batters back in consecutive overs.
Skipper Suné Luus appeared to build another solid knock, but it was Kaur again who made sure that was cut short. A successful review from India had the LBW decision overturned, and it was down to the middle order to see off the remainder of the chase.
Marizanne Kapp impressed again, but her run out seemed to spark a renewed sense of hope for the Indians, who were in a desperate search for regular breakthroughs to remain in contention.
The telling blows came from Chloe Tryon in the 47th over, when she scored three boundaries in five deliveries off Gayakwad. This all but made the equation comfortable for SA.
Mignon du Preez had superbly batted through much of the death overs, and her first half-century of the tournament couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
The experienced batter was unflappable during the final two overs, and even though Trisha Chetty’s run-out may have caused momentary panic, there was one fortuitous break that ended up deciding the result.
On the penultimate delivery, Du Preez holed out to long-on off Deepti Sharma, but a front-foot no-ball eased the nerves. The final ball was hit for 4, and it was a well-earned win for a team that never at any point seemed to buckle under pressure.
The semifinal matches are now set in stone: Australia will play the West Indies, who qualified as a result of this game – and South Africa will play England. Now during the last meeting, the Proteas edged them out, but the stakes are much, much higher given that it’s now the knockout phase.
The semifinals will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Proteas playing the latter.
