Laura Wolvaardt on Wednesday led from the front with a majestic 169 to help South Africa thrash England by 125 runs and reach their first-ever ODI Women’s World Cup final.
South Africa posted 319-7 and then bowled out England for 194 in 42.3 overs with medium-pace bowler Marizanne Kapp returning figures of 5-20 in the first semi-final in Guwahati.
The Proteas await the winner of last night’s semi-final between holders Australia and India for the title clash on Sunday in the outskirts of Mumbai.
Photo: AFP
South Africa made their third straight final of a women’s World Cup — two in T20 tournaments — and their first in the 50-over marquee competition.
They were beaten by England in the semi-finals of the last two ODI World Cups in 2017 and 2022.
Nadine de Klerk dismissed Linsey Smith for 27 as the last wicket to trigger celebrations in the South African camp.
“It still feels a bit unreal,” player of the match Wolvaardt said. “I think that’s the sort of the thing that you dream about as a kid is scoring 100 in a World Cup, knockout game as well. Very special day and I’m so glad we won in the end.”
Wolvaardt set up victory with her first World Cup century as she lay the foundations of the mammoth total in a 116-run stand with fellow opener Tazmin Brits, who made 45.
Wolvaardt reached her 10th ODI ton and then switched gears to take the attack to the opposition in the final few overs, ending with 20 fours and four sixes in her 143-ball knock.
She reached the top of the tournament batting chart with 470 runs including one hundred and three half-tons in eight matches.
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