England vs South Africa, ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, semi-final 1: Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez repel hosts; post 218/6 at Bristol
WWC 2017, semi-final 1: Wolvaardt, du Preez repel England; post 218/6
Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez scored gritty fifties against a disciplined England bowling, posting competitive 219-run target at Bristol. The duo added 77 runs for the third wicket after they lost 2 wickets inside 12 overs. After Wolvaardt fell for 66, du Preez continued her good work and remained unbeaten on 76 to set up a fighting total for the favourites in the first semi-final of ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
South Africa had conceded 373 runs in the last match against England. They were unlucky that they lost the toss, and their solid bowling attack was reduced to rubble on a flat Bristol track. However, fortune favoured them in the knockout contest: captain Dan van Niekerk called right at the toss and batted first to avoid a similar fate at the same venue.
South Africa were anyway going to attack. That is their best suit. England, however, bowled a stump-to-stump line. One miss, and there goes a wicket.
Openers Lizelle Lee and Wolvaardt waited for juicy half-volleys to wallop them over the infield. England did give them a few, but timely cut back the length to keep a tight leash on South Africa.
Lee was the first to fall for it. Trying to hoick a good-length ball, she got into the short early and Anya Shrubsole took apart her defence.
Trisha Chetty then hit two fours, continuing with the counterattack. England, in fact, were well-versed with the situation. They were never going to let Chetty go full throttle.
Sarah Taylor came up to keep wickets, Natalie Sciver lured Chetty into leaning forward and losing balance. Chetty snared right into the trap. Her back foot was well outside the crease before she could make amends. Taylor nimbly moved to her left and took the bails off to leave Chetty stumped for 15.
South Africa were 48 for 2 in 11.4 overs. At the crease came du Preez to join opener Wolvaardt.
The spirited South Africans did not resort to the waiting game. They put away everything that was in the arc to hit. If not provided any, they manufactured their own strokes.
Having already got her eye in, Wolvaardt cut loose and let du Preez hang back. The duo added 77 in 118 balls before the former played a tired shot off captain Heather Knight’s first over. Pitched in the good length area, she rocked back and tried to scythe only to see her defence knocked over. She departed for 66, laying the foundation.
Off the next ball, Marizanne Kapp holed out a full-toss to Knight who dropped an absolute dolly. The damage was controlled in the same over all the same. While trying to steal a quick single, Kapp fell short of the crease. South Africa slipped to 126 for 4 from 125 for 2.
Captain Dane came to the rescue, and confined England from inflicting more pain. She blasted 3 fours and a six during her 27-run cameo before becoming the second victim to run herself out.
This was followed by the second double blow, just like the earlier fall of wickets. Chloe Tyron was caught and bowled for a mere 1 off Jenny Gunn.
That was it. South Africa did not lose wickets after that. Du Preez upped the ante and reached her 12th fifty, eventually remaining unbeaten on 76. She added 58 runs with No. 8 Sune Luus to repel England in death overs.
Brief scores
South Africa 218 for 6 (Laura Wolvaardt 66, Mignon du Preez 76; Anya Shrubsole 1 for 33) vs England.