England’s Hope at 202/6 Crushed by Wolvaardt’s Onslaught

For a brief, tantalizing moment, England held the World Cup semi-final in their grasp. Having put South Africa in to bat, a courageous four-wicket haul from an injured Sophie Ecclestone had reduced the Proteas to 202 for six, and a manageable chase seemed likely.
But that hope was extinguished by one of the great counter-attacks in World Cup history, led by South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. After patiently building to her century, she unleashed a torrent of boundaries, smashing 69 runs from her final 28 balls.
Wolvaardt’s assault, which included four sixes and a 20-run over off Linsey Smith, single-handedly tore the game from England’s control. The total ballooned to 319 for seven, the second-highest in a knockout game.
England’s batters, perhaps stunned by the late charge, folded immediately. Marizanne Kapp delivered a devastating double-wicket maiden, removing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks to leave the score at a calamitous one for three.
Kapp returned to finish with five for 20, also becoming the tournament’s all-time leading wicket-taker. Despite a maiden ODI fifty for Alice Capsey, England were bowled out for 194, their brief hopes at 202 for six a distant memory.