South Africa made history in Guwahati on Wednesday, clinching their first-ever 50-over World Cup final berth with a phenomenal 125-run win over England. The victory was orchestrated by captain Laura Wolvaardt (169) and pace bowler Marizanne Kapp (5/20).
Wolvaardt played an innings of a lifetime. After a measured 115-ball century, she exploded at the death, smashing 69 runs from just 28 balls to propel her team to 319 for seven.
Her assault, which included four sixes, came after England’s Sophie Ecclestone (four wickets) had given her team a strong chance by reducing the Proteas to 202 for six.
England’s chase was over before it began. Kapp delivered a double-wicket maiden to leave England in tatters at one for three, with their top three all dismissed for ducks.
Kapp, who also became the all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker, returned to complete her five-wicket haul. She ended a 107-run partnership from Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt to bowl England out for 194 and seal the historic win.