England will face Australia in the final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Sunday after Danni Wyatt’s magnificent century propelled the defending champions to a 137-run defeat of South Africa.
Opener Wyatt took advantage of being dropped five times to crash 129 from 125 balls, the backbone of England’s 293-8 in Christchurch.
She added 116 for the fifth wicket with Sophia Dunkley, who made a measured 60, while Sophie Ecclestone rounded off the innings with 24 from only 11 balls.
South Africa’s chances of pulling off the largest chase in women’s one-day international history largely rested on the dangerous opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee.
But Anya Shrubsole, the hero when England beat the same opponents in the semi-finals in 2017, removed both to leave the Proteas 8-2.
Spinner Ecclestone, the world’s best bowler, then tore through the lower order for her first international five-wicket haul, ending with 6-36 as South Africa were dismissed for 156.
It continued a remarkable turnaround from England, who were on the brink of elimination after losing their first three games but have now won five in a row to reach a second successive final.
It seemed scarcely believable that England could reach the final. Even some of the players have admitted to believing they were out of the tournament.
Since then, they have steadily improved, eradicating errors with the ball and in the field, and finding contributions from most of their batters. The resurgence built to this performance in Christchurch, a dismantling of a talented South Africa side that had previously only lost to Australia.
For the Proteas, this was a complete contrast from the previous victory over England. Whereas then it was Knight’s side who missed chances in the field, this time it was South Africa who looked affected by the pressure of the occasion.
It meant South Africa once again lost in a global semi-final - they have been beaten in all three of their 50-over World Cup last-four ties to go along with two losses at the same stage in the T20 version.
Scores:
England 293 for 8 (50 overs) Danni Wyatt 129, Sophie Dunkley 60
South Africa 156 (38 overs) Sophie Ecclestone 6 for 36)