England’s World Cup dream over after South Africa exact brutal revenge

SA (319-7) beat ENG (194) by 125 runs

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England crumbled under the pressure of the occasion and South Africa, succumbing to a 125-run defeat in the Cricket World Cup semi-final.

It was a clinical display when it mattered from South Africa, while England – yet again – struggled in the crucial moments and slid to defeat against the same opponent they had knocked out of the previous two editions.

Faced with a record run-chase of 320 to reach a third successive 50-over World Cup final, England slumped to one for three, with the top three all out without scoring. As the pressure of the chase mounted, the result was hardly more than a foregone conclusion.

South Africa started their tournament bowled out at the same ground in Guwahati for just 69, with England claiming a 10-wicket win, but less than a month later and the tables had well and truly turned.

Charlotte Edwards summed it up, with the comment “two players performed really well on the big stage” – unfortunately for England, both of those were South African: Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp.

The semi-final was always going to be the most significant test of the new regime of Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt, and an opportunity for England to prove just how far they had come since their group-stage T20 World Cup exit just over 12 months ago, but the outcome was uncomfortably familiar.

The side might have dispelled comments over fitness and fielding that had followed them over the last 18 months like a spectre, but it was unclear how the almost-unchanged team would cope with the pressure moments that had previously proved their undoing.

Against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup last year they spilled five catches. In Guwahati they were reduced to one for three, in a situation that required a record-run chase.

Edwards insisted after the game that she felt her side performed “a little better” under pressure, but at no point did England come close to reaching the required total, or forcing South Africa to alter their game plan.

“We had full belief when we came here that we could be successful,” she said.

“I think I said at the start that we could beat anyone but we had to play at our best, we weren’t at our best today and South Africa were.

“That’s probably one of the reasons we’re going home early.”

Nothing should be taken away from Wolvaardt who dictated the course of the match with a stunning 169, as South Africa put on 319.

Laura Wolvaardt produced a batting masterclass against England – Getty Images/Biji Boro

Until the final 10 overs of the first innings, England were in the game. In the 40th over of the first innings, South Africa had 202 runs for five wickets, before adding more than 100 in the back end of the innings as England’s bowlers grew increasingly wayward as Wolvaardt accelerated.

At the start of the second innings, England would already have needed something remarkable to come close to a record-breaking chase, but any faint hope had disappeared before the end of the first over.

With her second ball, Kapp took the first of five wickets for just 20 runs.

Amy Jones was caught on the crease and bowled through the gate for a duck. Three balls later, former captain Heather Knight was also trudging back to the dressing room having played on wafting at a ball outside the off stump. The next over, Tammy Beaumont tried to overturn a caught behind, and was out without adding to the score.

With the scoreboard reading a bleak one for three, Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey attempted to rebuild, but the writing was already on the wall.

Both made half centuries but fell in quick succession shortly afterwards. Capsey was caught trying to hit down the ground, having already been dropped on 28, and then the decision to bring Kapp back on all but sealed the victory for South Africa.

Kapp had left the field once with cramp, but produced one more moment of skill to take the faint edge of Sciver-Brunt’s bat. She then brought up her five-for by claiming the wickets of Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean in the same fashion two overs later.

“We do need to improve our batting,” Edwards acknowledged afterwards.

“I don’t think it’s been consistent enough at times and equally with our bowling. I think all aspects of our game we need to look at – certainly our death [bowling].

“There’s lots to go away and work on which is exciting from a coaching perspective but obviously reflecting on today and the tournament there has been some good stuff and some stuff we need to improve.”

Far too often in the tournament, England’s batting has been a case of needing one of their stalwarts to perform.

Against Bangladesh, Heather Knight saved them from an upset with an unbeaten 79, in the match with Sri Lanka it was Nat Sciver-Brunt. In Colombo against Pakistan, the batting line up crumbled, and the weather spared England’s blushes.

Facing India, Knight again scored a century. In the semi-final, the highest scorer was Sciver-Brunt with 64, but too many players had gone through the tournament without making a significant score.

Although concerns with England’s ODI programme are likely to continue, the focus will shift when the squad regroup in December to prepare for a home T20 World Cup next summer, and by then it is hoped they will have learned to handle the pressure.

04:48pm

Thanks for joining us!

That brings our coverage of England’s semi-final defeat by South Africa at the Women’s Cricket World Cup to an end. Thanks for joining us.

04:34pm

‘Really pleased to get the win tonight’

South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt speaking to Sky Sports:

Very special and I think everyone is really excited.

Having lost to England in the previous two editions of the World Cup really hurt this group, so we’re really pleased to get the win tonight.

Same opposition and same venue, your mind goes back to that game but losing the toss wasn’t the worst thing and it turned out pretty alright.

Runs on the board will always be important in a semi-final.

On Marizanne Kapp:

She was so special. Throughout the tournament she was finding her way but she was on it today. The first wicket was amazing and having her experience in the group as well. She is a two-in-one player with the bat as well.

Very special to be history-makers today. This is a fair tournament playing each team and we have played some good cricket over the month.

The final will be amazing whoever we play. We will celebrate this tonight and go back to the drawing board tomorrow.

04:32pm

‘This will hurt but we must come back stronger’

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt reacts to her side’s defeat:

What an incredible two innings from South Africa. We weren’t at our best today, to beat the best team you have to put a whole game together and we didn’t do that today. We’re hugely disappointed, it will take time to sink in.

During the powerplay and afterwards, we were pretty happy with the control we had and knew a wicket at one end and we’d be able to make some inroads, but they got another partnership together.

We’ve come a long way since the summer, we’re a different side certainly, and we’ve learned a lot about ourselves.

This will hurt but, hopefully, in time we’ll be able to take the learnings from this and move forward because we’ve made some great strides in a short space of time.

It’s really exciting where we can do, but to beat the best teams you have to be at your best. Hopefully we’ll come back stronger next time.

04:26pm

More reaction from Edwards

We’ve stuck with that combination and it’s done us well throughout the competition. At times, we just didn’t hit our straps. That back 10 really cost us.

If we kept them to 280, which probably was a par score, we may have been able to chase that down.

I came into this role and I knew it wouldn’t change overnight. I’ve seen some really positive things to come out of this trip and we’ve performed better under pressure.

Overall, we are making progress and that’s the most important thing but ultimately you’re defined on your results and today we’re going out of a World Cup at a semi-final where we all hoped we’d make it to the final.

I’m a winner. I don’t like losing but equally I knew what I took on with this role and knew it wouldn’t be a quick fix but that makes me more hungry to go home and work with these players over the winter period.

04:23pm

I’m proud of what the team has achieved’

England head coach Charlotte Edwards speaking to Sky Sports:

Disappointed. You get to the semi-final stages and you’re one step away from being in the final.

I’m proud of what the team has achieved. To not play our best cricket today is disappointing, and that’s something we will have to reflect on.

I think two players performed really well on the big stage, Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt, and when someone gets a five-for and 169, you’re not going to be on the winning side too many times.

“Wolvaardt’s batting was outstanding, and Kapp was great. It wasn’t to be for us today.

“There was some good hitting, and it’s hard to restrict someone on 169 on a good wicket. There are things to think about after this.

04:19pm

The winning moment for South Africa

04:15pm

‘Very special day for us’

Player of the Match, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt speaking to Sky Sports:

Still feels a bit unreal. It’s one of the things you dream about as a kid, scoring a 100 in a World Cup.

Very special day and I’m glad we won in the end.

We knew the start would be crucial. Taz and I have been strong up the order and when we bat well it feeds off to the rest of the line-up.

Really nice we got to a big score because it was a flat wicket in the end.

This is probably the top, context of the game, strong side and strong bowling attack. This is right up there.

04:05pm

South Africa reach historic final

South Africa started their tournament being bowled out for 69 runs in Guwahati against England, and have recovered to reach their first ever Cricket World Cup final.

It is a historic moment for South Africa, who reached the final of the T20 World Cup final, but were unable to beat New Zealand. On Sunday they will have another chance it tomorrow they will find out whether they will be facing Australia or India.

04:04pm

South Africa win by 125 runs

Smith is finally caught, and South Africa win by 125 runs.

04:02pm

OVER 42: ENG 194-9 (Smith 27, Bell 9)

Bell has her first boundary with a back foot punch through point. There are a lot of gaps in this field given how attacking it is.

Bell goes down the ground and will have another boundary to end the over.

03:59pm

OVER 41: ENG 186-9 (Smith 27, Bell 1)

In the last 10 overs England have scored 40 runs for four wickets.

Smith is going on the attack, it’s a good chance for some time in the middle even if nothing else, she hits down the ground and will get another single.

Bell looks like she will just defend.

Bell will take the strike with a thick outside edge for one.

03:56pm

OVER 40: ENG 184-9 (Smith 26, Bell 0)

Lauren Bell has come out to bat, but Smith will keep on the attack and has another boundary through wide mid on.

She finds another boundary over extra cover, and almost has a third through third man.

Bell is on strike and just defends back to the bowler.

03:52pm

WICKET – Wyatt-Hodge out for 34 – ENG 175-9

De Klerk will have her fourth. South Africa need two wickets and England, well it’s probably best not to mention that. They still need 147 runs from 72 balls.

Wyatt-Hodge starts the over with a single, Smith gets one for herself from the fourth ball of the over.

Wyatt-Hodge goes for 34! De Klerk has been known for her batting and Wyatt-Hodge went for the big shot into the leg side and was caught and deep square leg.

03:48pm

OVER 38: ENG 173-8 (Wyatt-Hodge 33, Smith 16)

Mlaba gets the ball to turn past Smith, it pitches outside off and jags back into the left hander.

Smith spoons the ball into the leg side and Bosch cannot quite get there. The next ball is edged by Wyatt-Hodge behind and races away to the boundary.

England have now out-scored Laura Wolvaardt.

03:45pm

OVER 37: ENG 167-8 (Wyatt-Hodge 28, Smith 15)

Smith gets a single off the second ball of the over to bring Wyatt-Hodge on strike.

Mlaba is getting her right thumb strapped up, fortunately for South Africa it’s her non-bowling hand.

3 runs from the over.

03:41pm

OVER 36: ENG 164-8 (Wyatt-Hodge 27, Smith 13)

Smith chips Mlaba over mid on for a boundary. She has scored runs in domestic cricket, but there is a reason she is batting so low in this game.

Although having said that, she follows it up with another boundary over mid off, and it just bounced before the rope.

Smith hits the ball straight back at Mlaba who spills the catch! She is left wringing her hands after being struck on the thumb, and that one might be quite sore.

03:38pm

OVER 35: ENG 155-8 (Wyatt-Hodge 27, Smith 4)

Khaka is into her seventh over and it is just a case of when South Africa will wrap this up to seal their place in the World Cup final.

The bigger question might be who are they going to face, with India taking on Australia in Navi Mumbai tomorrow.

Smith drives straight down the ground and it will be stopped on the ropes. Three runs from the over.

03:35pm

OVER 34: ENG 152-8 (Wyatt-Hodge 27, Smith 1)

Smith off the mark with a chip over the infield into the leg side. Interestingly, Smith is the only left-handed batter in the England side, and that’s another thing that could be worth looking at.

One wicket and one run from the over.

03:32pm

WICKET – Ecclestone out for 2 – ENG 151-8

Ecclestone only lasts one ball after drinks before a top-edge goes straight down the throat of deep midwicket.

It was a good catch from Annerie Dercksen, but the end is coming soon.

03:28pm

OVER 33: ENG 151-7 (Wyatt-Hodge 27, Ecclestone 2)

Khaka has also been brought back on, and Ecclestone plays out five dot balls before keeping the strike with the final ball of the over.

03:24pm

OVER 32: ENG 150-7 (Wyatt-Hodge 27, Ecclestone 1)

It is still a good pitch and Wyatt-Hodge hs another boundary, punishing a short and wide ball through the covers.

Wyatt-Hodge was only brought into the side for this one and the previous match against New Zealand, replacing Emma Lamb in the middle order. This is a chance to show what she can do, even if the game is all but over.

Ecclestone gets off the mark with a sweep for one.

03:22pm

OVER 31: ENG 144-7 (Wyatt-Hodge 22, Ecclestone 0)

Ecclestone plays the ball to cover for a single. Kapp is now the highest-ever Women’s World Cup wicket-taker with 44.

Wicket maiden for Kapp.

03:18pm

WICKET – Dean out for 0, Kapp has a five-for – ENG 144-7

Charlie Dean has batted well this tournament and contributed well with the bat, but nothing like the situation she comes in on.

Kapp strikes first ball! The ball just catches the edge and Dean has gone first ball!

Kapp has a five-for and is on a hat-trick.

03:16pm

WICKET – Dunkley caught behind for 2 – ENG 144-6

Kapp strikes again! Dunkley has edged behind and will have to go for just two runs from 10 balls.

A disappointing World Cup for the England middle-order batter comes to an end.

03:14pm

OVER 30: ENG 144-5 (Wyatt-Hodge 22, Dunkley 2)

Dunkley gets a leading edge off Tryon, and the next one she plays all round and it thuds into her pads.

Dunkley gets one through to keep the strike, one from the over.

03:11pm

OVER 29: ENG 143-5 (Wyatt-Hodge 22, Dunkley 1)

Dunkley almost went first ball! She has had a poor tournament and went chasing after a wide one and edged behind but the wicketkeeper could only get fingertips to it.

Wyatt-Hodge goes into the leg side and picks up a boundary.

03:09pm

WICKET – Sciver-Brunt out for 64 – ENG 138-5

Kapp has been brought back on to try and break this partnership. South Africa know that if they get the wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt, this really is all over for England.

She gets the one she wanted! Sciver-Brunt advances down the track and just nicks behind.

That was the breakthrough they needed. The ball just moved a touch off the seam and caught the edge.

That could well be that.

03:06pm

OVER 28: ENG 138-4 (Sciver-Brunt 64, Wyatt-Hodge 18)

Wyatt-Hodge goes big and inside out over extra cover for four.

She moves her feet well to get another single through point-cover.

Sciver-Brunt goes for four down the ground and it might just have been stopped by Nadine De Klerk on the ropes, and it has done.

03:03pm

OVER 27: ENG 130-4 (Sciver-Brunt 61, Wyatt-Hodge 13)

Kapp comes back on, and Wyatt-Hodge just dabs the ball through third for four.

Seven runs from the over.

02:59pm

OVER 26: ENG 123-4 (Sciver-Brunt 60, Wyatt 7)

Tryon is into her third over. Two singles from the first three balls of the over.

England cannot afford too many dot balls. Sciver-Brunt tries to manufacture something but onyl gets a single to midwicket.

That over will not help, four singles from it.

02:56pm

OVER 25: ENG 119-4 (Sciver-Brunt 57, Wyatt-Hodge 5)

Wyatt-Hodge has hardly batted all tournament. She was only brought in for the

Sciver-Brunt has been dropped on 54! She tried to go big over mid on, and Tazmin Brits got a strong hand to it but dropped the catch.

Brits then goes down holding her right shoulder. It would have been a stunning one-handed effort at full stretch.

The required rate is creeping up. England need 201 runs from 25 overs.

02:51pm

OVER 24: ENG 112-4 (Sciver-Brunt 54, Wyatt-Hodge 3)

Tryon will continue after her first over went for just two. She has a new batter to aim at.

Wyatt-Hodge is an experienced cricketer however.

Three singles from the over.

02:48pm

WICKET – Capsey out for 50 – OVER 23: ENG 109-4 (Sciver-Brunt 53, Wyatt-Hodge 1)

Capsey gets her single and has a maiden half century.

The next ball Sciver-Brunt follows suit with a big six straight down the ground.

But Capsey takes the risk and plays the ball straight into the hands of mid-off. She just did not get hold of it and gave her wicket away just after getting her first 50 in the format.

02:44pm

OVER 22: ENG 99-3 (Sciver-Brunt 45, Capsey 49)

A new bowler for South Africa as Chloe Tryon comes into the attack and there’s another miss-field, but it won’t bee too costly. Two runs fro Capsey.

Capsey is otherwise cramped for room and can only defend for four dot balls.

A wide one and Capsey cannot capitalise, she is one away from a first ODI half century.

02:41pm

OVER 21: ENG 97-3 (Sciver-Brunt 45, Capsey 47)

Capsey punches Luus off the back foot for a single. Capsey’s 45 is her highest score in ODI cricket.

Scivder-Brunt drives straight down the ground past the bowler for four, and picks up another single with a miss-field.

Seven from the over.

02:38pm

OVER 20: ENG 90-3 (Sciver-Brunt 40, Capsey 45)

Mlaba continues to bowl defensively and England have kept rotating the strike, but they need so many runs to make this close.

Three runs from the over.

02:36pm

OVER 19: ENG 87-3 (Sciver-Brunt 39, Capsey 43)

Luus goes straight and Sciver-Brunt plays the ball through midwicket, but it’s stopped on the boundary by Tryon.

Capsey gets another single through to the off-side sweeper.

02:33pm

OVER 18: ENG 83-3 (Sciver-Brunt 37, Capsey 41)

Mlaba bowls a ball that thuds into Capsey’s midriff as she goes down for a sweep shot. There is an appeal but it might just have pitched outside the line.

Capsey again goes into the leg side, but will just get a single. Sciver-Brunt reverse-paddles fine and will pick up a couple, that was well-timed and she read the field well.

Mlaba strays too far down leg and she will have to bowl that again.

Again too striaght and Capsey sweeps the ball very fine for four.

02:30pm

OVER 17: ENG 74-3 (Sciver-Brunt 34, Capsey 36)

Sune Luus will start after the drinks break. Sciver-Brunt just almost lets the ball hit the bat and trickle into the leg side, England get another single.

Capsey capitalises on a ball that was just into the leg side, lifting the ball over the infield to the backward square leg boundary.

02:24pm

OVER 16: ENG 67-3 (Sciver-Brunt 33, Capsey 30)

Mlaba will continue, Sciver-Brunt gets a single the first ball of the over, and Capsey gets one from the final delivery.

That will be drinks and a chance for both sides to catch their breath and assess what has been an action-filled start to the innings.

02:22pm

OVER 15: ENG 65-3 (Sciver-Brunt 32, Capsey 29)

Another bowling change, Sune Luus comes on to bowl. Capsey goes big into the leg side and it just hung in the air but was put down!

How costly will that be. Capsey dropped on 26.

Was there a run out chance as well? Nat Sciver-Brunt barely made her crease at the bowlers end, but just about made it back.

02:18pm

OVER 14: ENG 59-3 (Sciver-Brunt 30, Capsey 25)

Mlaba comes back into the attack and Capsey just defends, the next one she tries to turn it around the corner and it only just evades the pads, but is called a wide.

Sciver-Brunt is just starting to go on the attack with one through backwards square for four. It was a well-timed fine sweep.

She goes for a second one but the fielder had moved to cut off the option.

02:15pm

OVER 13: ENG 53-3 (Sciver-Brunt 26, Capsey 24)

De Klerk’s last over went for 8, but she will continue here.

After three singles from the first three balls, Sciver-Brunt fetches one from outside the off stump into the leg side. A real sign of intent and a good boundary.

02:13pm

OVER 12: ENG 46-3 (Sciver-Brunt 21, Capsey 22)

Mlaba comes into the attack for the first introduction of spin in this innings. Sciver-Brunt gets a single, then Capsey remains watchful.

When there is width on offer, Capsey picks up one into the off side.

Four runs from the over.

02:08pm

OVER 11: ENG 42-3 (Sciver-Brunt 19, Capsey 20)

De Klerk bowls a wide at the start of her second over.

Capsey plays a feather of a leg glance, and it will bring another boundary. England may not care where any of these runs come from.

02:03pm

OVER 10: ENG 34-3 (Sciver-Brunt 17, Capsey 15)

Khaka almost has another! Sciver-Brunt almost drags back onto her stumps and has a single for her efforts.

Capsey edges this time and it will race away through to the boundary, the slip has come out and it might have just bounced before them even if they were there.

That’s the end of the powerplay, at the same point in the first innings, South Africa were 58-0.

01:59pm

OVER 9: ENG 29-3 (Sciver-Brunt 16, Capsey 11)

Nadine De Klerk comes on to bowl after a stunning start from the opening bowlers.

Sciver-Brunt plays the ball defensively up towards mid on, but gets one through the gap on the off side to bring another boundary and take her total to 15.

Appeal from De Klerk, but the wicketkeeper was not convinced and Wolvaardt is not.

01:55pm

OVER 8: ENG 24-3 (Sciver-Brunt 11, Capsey 11)

Three dot balls to start the Khaka over before Capsey finds the boundary on the off side through point for four.

Four runs from the over.

01:52pm

OVER 7: ENG 20-3 (Sciver-Brunt 11, Capsey 7)

Capsey plays Kapp down towards long leg with a ball just clipped off the hip.

Kapp gets Sciver-Brunt to go for the drive, and misses the ball which goes through to the keeper and just evades the outside edge.

Sciver-Brunt has a boundary, but it’s off the outside edge and not far away from the slip fielder.

England need 300 runs to win.

01:48pm

OVER 6: ENG 15-3 (Sciver-Brunt 7, Capsey 6)

Khaka starts her third over with two dots.

Capsey gets a single, and Sciver-Brunt picks up her first boundary with a perfect cover drive.

01:45pm

OVER 5: ENG 10-3 (Sciver-Brunt 3, Capsey 5)

It’s the first time in ODIs that England’s top three batters have been out for a duck. Not that that will help them at all now.

Another fumble in the field and England will get another single. Kapp is finally hit for runs, with Sciver-Brunt driving it through cover point.

A wide follows.

01:40pm

OVER 4: ENG 7-3 (Sciver-Brunt 1, Capsey 5)

Capsey is being asked to do a lot here, but she has batted at three before. This is a chance to deliver under pressure.

She opens the face on a ball and guides it through backward point for a single.

Another one through third for a single.

01:37pm

OVER 3: ENG 5-3 (Sciver-Brunt 0, Capsey 4)

Kapp is into her second over and already causing problems for Sciver-Brunt. She is just trying to defend here as England have been left reeling by the flurry of wickets.

A maiden over for Kapp.

01:35pm

OVER 2: ENG 5-3 (Sciver-Brunt 0, Capsey 4)

Capsey gets off the mark with England’s first boundary. She finds the gap through point.

01:31pm

WICKET – Beaumont caught behind for 0 – ENG 1-3

Two wickets in the first over and it would take something astonishing for England to even get close here.

Tammy Beaumont has been given out! The ball goes past the outside edge and through to the wicketkeeper, the finger goes up and this has been reviewed straight away.

Beaumont was adamant that she hadn’t hit it, but the spike on ultra edge shows she has.

England are 1-3.

01:26pm

WICKET – Knight plays on for 0 – ENG 0-2

Knight will not have wanted to come out that early and it is not the first time Jones has been bowled through the gate in this tournament.

Knight moves her feet to defend the first ball but then plays on!

Kapp has struck twice in the first over, and Knight cannot believe she has played this one back onto the stumps.

01:24pm

WICKET – Jones bowled for a duck – ENG 0-1

Marizanne Kapp has ball in hand and will want to put England under pressure straight away.

It’s right on the stumps and Jones defends watchfully.

The next ball goes straight through the gate and Jones has been bowled for a duck!

This has already gone from unlikely to improbable for England.

Kapp lets out a roar and punches both fists.

01:21pm

England are preparing to start their innings

What can England do here? A good start is necessary.

South Africa chose to go with the extra batter, which might cause problems for them later on, but it would have to be the second highest chase in the Womren’s World Cup.

01:05pm

South Africa say it was a 270-wicket

Tazmin Brits said at the interval: “I am glad I witnessed a knock like that. From both of myself and Laura, it was very good.

“We wanted to go with more intent in the first overs. We wanted to be positive and take the pressure off. It is definitely a batting wicket but hopefully the ball might move low later.

“We took the wicket and said it was a 270 wicket so we are chuffed with our total.”

12:54pm

South Africa finish their innings with 319 for seven

Bell starts with a back of the hand wide slower ball and De Klerk cannot get anything on it, skewing it into the ground straight to Jones.

Bell keeps going with the slower balls but De Klerk anticipates it and fires the ball over the wide mid off for another four.

Another short ball, far too short and it has been called a wide.

This is messy but it is just hit and run from South Africa, Tryon only gets a single, and she did not want to give up the strike.

De Klerk goes all the way across her stumps and paddles, she hasn’t got hold of it properly, but it will be another boundary.

South Africa have set England 320 runs to win. It would be a record-chase for England, the highest in a knockout match at the Cricket World Cup.

12:48pm

OVER 49: SA 307-7 (Tryon 32, De Klerk 1)

De Klerk is in with two overs to go, how many more runs can South Africa get here?

Tryon calls for a change of gloves, and takes the responsibility, hitting Smith through midwicket for four with a slog-sweep.

She picks up where Wolvaardt left off, and goes over cover for a boundary – just like the captain did a couple of overs ago.

A single brings up the 300 and brings De Klerk on strike. She is known as the finisher, but hasn’t faced a ball yet today.

She goes big but into the air and it drops safe for a single. Another six for South Africa from the final ball of the over, and that might have been stopped if Dean was on the boundary, but she was just a few yards in and could not take the catch.

12:42pm

WICKET – Wolvaardt out for 169 – OVER 48: SA 291-7 (Tryon 18, De Klerk 0)

Bell is back on, and England just have to stop the runs.

A back-of-the hand delivery is so wide it almost becomes a no-ball, England look rattled by what Wolvaardt has done here.

Wolvaardt gets something on the ball and will have a single up to mid off.

Tryon goes over the top of mid off and gets in on the boundary action – the pace was off the ball and the batter had to wait for that.

Final ball of the over, and Wolvaardt goes straight but she does not get enough of it and the catch is taken by Capsey!

Laura Wolvaardt is congratulated by Sophie Ecclestone — Sophie Ecclestone sportingly congratulates Laura Wolvaardt after her innings – AFP via Getty Images/Biju Boro

A stunning innings of 169 comes to an end.

12:37pm

OVER 47: SA 284-6 (Wolvaardt 168, Tryon 13)

England turn to Linsey Smith to try and stem this flow of runs. Tryon gets a single off the first ball to bring Wolvaardt back on strike, it was launched into the air and just short of Dunkley who makes a good stop in the end.

Wolvaardt smashes another six over midwicket to bring up her 150! Talk about leading from the front and playing a captain’s innings, this has been a masterclass from the South African opener.

She follows it up with a four through backward square, the line was wrong from Smith.

Wolvaardt just cannot be stopped! She has three back to back boundaries and goes straighter through mid on.

Another four, through backward square, and this is getting away from England. Wolvaardt takes a single to keep the strike after an over that went for 20.

12:33pm

OVER 46: SA 264-6 (Wolvaardt 149, Tryon)

Sciver-Brunt will continue with herself, and Wolvaardt enjoys this, pummelling the ball to the leg side boundary. It was too full, and Wolvaardt will not miss out.

A brilliant stop on the boundary from Beaumont prevents another four, Tryon will have to settle for two.

Another short ball from Sciver-Brunt and Tryon was pleading for a wide, but nothing given.

The final ball of the over is right in the slot and Wolvaardt does not miss out with another six over midwicket.

12:27pm

OVER 45: SA 250-6 (Wolvaardt 138, Tryon 9)

Dean starts with a full toss and Tryon advances down the wicket playing it to mid on for a single.

All that does is bring Wolvaardt on strike and she launches the ball to the midwicket boundary, Dunkley just got a hand to the ball but could not hold on and it will go down as a drop! She has opened up her stance and is playing this like she does in T20s.

The next ball is also dispatched to the ropes. This time over the cover fielder and to the vacant extra cover boundary.

Dean switches to around the wicket, and it goes along the ground up to mid on for a single.

12:24pm

OVER 44: SA 238-6 (Wolvaardt 128, Tryon 7)

Wolvaardt goes down the ground as Sciver-Brunt is into her seventh and it’s well-stopped by Capsey on the boundary.

Sciver-Brunt goes short but it’s too leg side and called a wide.

Tryon goes down the ground and was that a chance for a catch? It has been thumped straight back and Sciver-Brunt gets out the way.

Wolvaardt goes on the charge again and launches the ball into the mid on boundary, it’s her second six and she is leading the charge.

Sciver-Brunts drifts too striaght and Wolvaardt in the form she is in will not miss out, sending the ball to the square leg boundary.

15 from the over.

12:20pm

OVER 43: SA 223-6 (Wolvaardt 115, Tryon 6)

Ecclestone will bowl out here, Wolvaardt picks up a single.

Tryon guides the ball down to deep third for a couple. This is good running from South Africa, they are just turning good balls into singles.

Ecclestone raps Tryon on the pads with the final ball of the over, and England opt to send this one upstairs. It looked to be going down leg, and it was.

That was a gamble from England who were desperate for another Ecclestone breakthough however unlikely.

Ecclestone will finish her 10 overs with four for 44.

12:15pm

OVER 42: SA 218-6 (Wolvaardt 113, Tryon 3)

Dean goes round the wicket to Tryon who pushes the ball up to mid off for a single.

But it’s Wolvaardt who goes on the charge now, hitting one straight out of the slot into the stands.

Remember, South Africa do have a finisher in Nadine de Klerk who will relish coming in in this situation.

12:12pm

OVER 41: SA 208-6 (Wolvaardt 105, Tryon 1)

Ecclestone has made the most impact, and finishes her ninth over with four wickets for 35.

Just the wide and a single after the wicket, before Wolvaardt continues to keep the scoreboard moving with a sweep for four from the final ball of the over.

12:09pm

WICKET – Dercksen out for 4, Ecclestone claims her fourth – SA 202-6

Ecclestone strikes again! Dercksen brings out the reverse sweep and miss-hits the ball straight into her stumps!

Ecclestone celebrates but that was all on the execution from Dercksen. Somehow she hit the ball twice including in the follow through of her initial sweep shot. It was the second hit that forced the ball back onto the stumps. You probably could not do that if you tried!

Either way she has to go for just four, and that is also the fourth wicket for the England left-arm spinner.

12:07pm

Wolvaardt century – OVER 40: SA 202-5 (Wolvaardt 101, Dercksen 4)

Dercksen goes on the attack against Bell and it needs a good diving stop from mid on to prevent the boundary.

Wolvaardt takes another single into the off side, and England might not mind that as they try and target the new batter.

Bell has mixed up the lengths and pace well in this match so far. Wolvaardt dabs the ball down to deep third and races back for a second to bring up her first World Cup century.

It has been an incredible innings from Wolvaardt who has not offered up a single chance for England as she goes past three figures and has steadied the innings.

12:02pm

OVER 39: SA 195-5 (Wolvaardt 97, Dercksen 1)

Ecclestone, who has claimed three wickets so far, breaking two established partnerships is into her eighth over.

After a single from Wolvaardt from the first ball, Dercksen is slightly eating up deliveries here, before picking up a single to end the over.

Two runs from it.

12:00pm

OVER 38: SA 193-5 (Wolvaardt 96, Dercksen 0)

Dercksen comes into the attack, and Bell finds her pads, but it was going down leg and England rightly choose not to review.

Bell goes short and it has hit Dercksen in the grill so there will be a delay while this is checked.

Just a wicket and wide from the over.

11:54am

WICKET – Jafta bowled by Bell for 1 – SA 192-5

Having got the wicket, England turn to Lauren Bell who strikes with her first ball of the over!

Lauren Bell celebrates the wicket of Sinalo Jafta – AFP via Getty Images/Biju Boro

Jafta has just been bowled with a delivery that just holds its line and hits off stump!

She only had an average of 12.64 in ODIs, and lasted just four deliveries.

11:53am

OVER 37: SA 192-4 (Wolvaardt 96, Jafta 1)

Jafta gets off the mark with a single from the final ball of the over, and it has been a crucial one as far as England are concerned.

11:51am

WICKET – Kapp caught off Ecclestone for 42 – SA 191-4

Ecclestone has been the most threatening of the England bowlers with two wickets so far, but Kapp drives her to the boundary for four.

The next ball has gone up in the air and Charlie Dean does take the catch!

Kapp has played an impressive innings, but will have to go for 42 from 33. South Africa might have got to the point where they decided to go for it, but she did not time that one well and it weight straight into the air.

11:48am

OVER 36: 187-3 (Wolvaardt 96, Kapp 38)

Charlie Dean has elected to come round the wicket to this pair of right-handers, and Kapp has been dropped by Bell!

Dean drew Kapp into the sweep shot and top-edges it into the air and the catch has been spilled by Lauren Bell!

She manages to get a left hand to it and almost juggled it but the chance goes down. Just how costly will that be for England?

She was on 36 when the chance came, how many more will she get.

Six singles from the over.

11:43am

OVER 35: SA 182-3 (Wolvaardt 94, Kapp 35)

Capsey will have her second over, after Sciver-Brunt was seen resting on her haunches, hopefully not any sign of injury.

Capsey drags one down, and with an off-side field, Wolvaardt only had to beat square leg and she dutifully does so to move into the 90s, and her highest score in ODI World Cups.

Nine runs from the over.

11:35am

OVER 34: SA 173-3 (Wolvaardt 88, Kapp 32)

Kapp goes for the big hit into the leg side, the ball was just pushed across her and she smashed that over the ropes for the second six of the innings.

They chose not to attack Capsey, but have gone after the first ball of Dean’s over, and a single from the next ball brings up the 50 partnership in just 48 deliveries.

After the slog-sweep for six, Dean has bowled harder into the surface.

11 runs from the over.

11:32am

OVER 33: SA 162-3 (Wolvaardt 86, Kapp 23)

There were questions about whether Sciver-Brunt would bowl her full 10-over allocation for the first time since January, but she has given herself options here by introducing Alice Capsey for the first time in the game.

Kapp tucks the ball into the leg side for a single, and again this pair continue to rotate the strike well.

Six runs from the over, all in singles.

11:29am

OVER 32: SA 156-3 (Wolvaardt 83, Kapp 20)

With the third ball of the over, Kapp went looking for the paddle sweep and gloved it, but the ball looped over the wicket keeper.

Three runs from Dean’s over.

11:25am

OVER 31: SA 153-3 (Wolvaardt 81, Kapp 19)

Unsurprisingly perhaps, Linsey Smith will continue.

She has not been easy to get away for the batters, but this pair have rotated the strike well and ensured that the scoreboard keeps ticking along.

Four singles from the over.

11:22am

OVER 30: SA 149-3 (Wolvaardt 79, Kapp 17)

Dean will continue and she bowls too wayward outside the off stump and Wolvaardt – as she has done all match – capitalises through the extra cover region.

She follows it up with a top-edged shot into the leg side, it was just stopped from crossing the ropes by a palm from Beaumont.

Kapp wears her heart on her sleeve and will remember the heart break of eight years ago.

Another shot into the leg side, over the in-field and again fielded by Beaumont. Are South Africa just turning the screw a bit? Eight runs from the over.

11:18am

OVER 29: SA 141-3 (Wolvaardt 72, Kapp 16)

Smith has bowled well to her field, and although the South African batters are playing her without risk, they cannot get the ball away.

Just the one single from the over.

11:15am

OVER 28: SA 140-3 (Wolvaardt 71, Kapp 16)

Wolvaardt tucks the first ball of Sciver-Brunt’s sixth over into the leg side for a single.

The next ball is another wide, and then Sciver-Brunt goes a touch short again, and Kapp gets enough of an outside edge to send the ball past the wicket-keeper to boundary.

A sweep to square leg for two, and a four through extra cover for four gives South Africa a much-needed 12 runs from the over.

11:12am

OVER 27: SA 128-3 (Wolvaardt 70, Kapp 6)

England turn to Smith to try and keep the pressure on this new partnership.

There have been 100 dot balls in this innings so far for South Africa, and just the three singles from the over.

11:09am

OVER 26: SA 125-3 (Wolvaardt 68, Kapp 5)

Kapp gets off the mark straight away, putting away a half volley outside the off stump.

Sciver-Brunt claimed the third wicket in the over, and this is a crucial partnership for South Africa.

11:06am

WICKET – Luus bowled by Sciver Brunt for 1

Sciver-Brunt strikes for England!

Sune Luus has been bowled going for a big heave into the leg side, and England celebrate another breakthrough.

Luus prefers taking on the spin rather than seam.

11:03am

OVER 25: SA 119-2 (Wolvaardt 67, Luus 1)

Ecclestone is into her sixth over now having got the two wickets in the last over, and follows it up with a maiden.

11:00am

OVER 24: SA 119-2 (Wolvaardt 67, Luus 1)

The pressure has just been heaped on Wolvaardt’s shoulders. She tucks one into the leg side for a single.

South Africa cannot afford to lose any more wickets in this period of the game, there are still more than half the overs to come and we have seen what a good batting track this is.

Another moment of hesitation with the running, but England are starting to stem the flow of runs.

10:57am

WICKET – Bosch bowled for 0 – OVER 23: SA 116-2 (Wolvaardt 65, Luus 0)

Ecclestone has another! It’s the extra batter of Anneke Bosch, who has gone for a duck!

Two wickets in four balls for England, and that’s just what they needed to stop this game getting away from them.

Bosch comes down the track and misses the ball which hits the off stump.

10:55am

WICKET: Brits bowled by Ecclestone – SA 116-1

England need a breakthrough and they have found it!

Brits goes for the same awkward reverse-sweep she has been trying all match and misses the ball, a bottom edge sends the ball straight into the stumps.

England have a breakthrough and it’s a miss-judged shot from Brits.

10:51am

OVER 22: SA 115-0 (Wolvaardt 64, Brits 45)

Bell will bowl her fifth over here as England continue to search for a breakthrough.

She fires one short and wide, and is definitely trying almost everything she can, but it is a good pitch for batting and the ball is coming on nicely.

Brits stands tall and goes straight down the ground for four, Bell was not bowling to her field there with both the mid on and mid off fielders up in the ring. It was right in the slot and a good boundary option.

The boundary was the only runs from the over, but it keeps South Africa ticking along nicely.

10:47am

OVER 21: SA 111-0 (Wolvaardt 64, Brits 41)

Ecclestone bowls to Brits, and strikes her on the forearm, the physio will come out to check it over.

Brits does not seem troubled at all as she storms down the ground and sends the ball over the long on boundary for the first six of the innings.

10:43am

OVER 20: SA 103-0 (Wolvaardt 63, Brits 34)

England have gone back to opener Lauren Bell to try and find a breakthrough here.

She starts tidily and goes for the short ball, but finds too much bounce and it’s out of reach of Wolvaardt and called a wide.

A miss-field at point and South Africa manage to get through for a single.

A good over from Bell, just two runs from it including the wide.

10:38am

OVER 19: SA 101-0 (Wolvaardt 62, Brits 34)

England stick with Ecclestone after drinks, and they are getting to the point where they need a breakthrough.

Brits goes for the sweep and manages to get the ball away for a boundary to bring up the hundred.

It has been an expensive over from Ecclestone, eight runs from it.

10:34am

OVER 18: SA 93-0 (Wolvaardt 59, Brits 29

Wolvaardt goes down the ground and beats the diving Dean and the ball flies straight to the boundary.

The next ball is a touch outside the off stump and Wolvaardt sends a conventional drive to the extra cover boundary.

Dean finds the right line and length next ball and Wolvaardt defends back to the bowler.

10:28am

OVER 17: SA 85-0 (Wolvaardt 51, Brits 29)

Wolvaardt brings up her half century, with a ball guided to the fielder at deep cover.

Brits goes for the conventional sweep, but there is a fielder there at short fine to cut off the chance of scoring.

Brits comes down the ground with a clip to midwicket for another single.

Brits plays the ball to the fielder and sets off for a run, they were potentially a bit slow, but well in the ground.

10:25am

OVER 16: SA 82-0 (Wolvaardt 49, Brits 28)

Charlie Dean is into her third over. Brits does go big and down the ground over long on, but there are fielders there and it’s just a single.

Two singles from the over.

10:23am

OVER 15: SA 80-0 (Wolvaardt 48, Brits 27)

Sophie Ecclestone has been brought into the attack to try and break this opening partnership. She starts with a delivery that’s just defended by Brits.

Ecclestone drifts too far down the leg side and Wolvaardt just helps it beat the wicket keeper and another boundary to South Africa.

But the final ball of the over does grip and turn and beats the oustide edge, that’s the first sign of anything really from this pitch.

10:18am

OVER 14: SA 74-0 (Wolvaardt 43, Brits 26)

Dean has not been able to get much turn today, but Wolvaardt chops the ball to deep third for a singles.

Brits goes down the ground, it is one of her strengths and she has another boundary. They were bowled out for 69 in the opening game against England, but there is no danger of that today.

10:15am

OVER 13: SA 67-0 (Wolvaardt 41, Brits 21)

Sciver-Brunt continues to go with the bouncer, it’s admittedly quite slow, but the extra bounce is taking them by surprise.

Brits so far has not been able to put any of these away. There are three on the leg side boundary.

Five runs from the over, 50 dot balls in the innings already.

10:12am

OVER 12: SA 62-0 (Wolvaardt 37, Brits 20)

England change things up and go to the off-spin of Charlie Dean. She starts with one tossed up outside the off stump, and Wolvaardt has a single.

Brits tries that reverse sweep again but plays the ball straight to short third.

Just one run from the over.

10:09am

OVER 11: SA 61-0 (Wolvaardt 36, Brits 20)

England can have more fielders outside the ring now, and Wolvaardt will have to settle for a single through the off side rather than the boundaries she found with ease in the opening 10 overs.

Sciver-Brunt again goes short and it bounces up over the shoulder of Brits, who wanted a wide on line, but not given.

Three runs from the over.

10:05am

OVER 10: SA 58-0 (Wolvaardt 34, Brits 19)

Smith again strays into that space outside the off stump, also known as Wolvaardt’s strike zone, and she picks up another boundary in the gap between point and cover.

Wolvaardt then pushes into the leg side to rotate the strike.

Brits has freed herself up and comes down the ground and goes over the top, it’s far over mid-off’s head and she picks up another boundary.

This was a good powerplay for South Africa.

10:02am

OVER 9: SA 49-0 (Wolvaardt 29, Brits 15)

Sciver-Brunt continues and goes too wayward again, another wide.

The next one is over corrected and too wide outside the off stump, Wolvaardt throws her hands at it and has another boundary through backward point.

Sciver-Brunt tries to go shorter and it really gets up and is top-edged but drops far short of any fielder.

09:59am

OVER 8: SA 43-0 (Wolvaardt 24, Brits 15)

Brits tries to reverse sweep to manufacture a way to score off Smith, and the first time it doesn’t work but the second time she will pick up two.

And that’s the only runs from the over.

09:56am

OVER 7: SA 41-0 (Wolvaardt 24, Brits 13)

Nat Sciver-Brunt brings herself on to bowl, and the first delivery is on the pads and whipped away through midwicket by Brits for two.

She then strays a touch too wayward, and South Africa benefit from another wide.

More width on offer, and Wolvaardt has a two, with Beaumont making a diving stop on the boundary.

09:53am

OVER 6: SA 35-0 (Wolvaardt 22, Brits 10)

Smith has handed Wolvaardt a dream full toss outside the off stump, and the opener middles the ball to the cover boundary.

The next one is too short and wide and gets exactly the same treatment, South Africa might have had a nervy moment or two, but they are motoring along.

09:49am

OVER 5: SA 27-0 (Wolvaardt 14, Brits 10)

Another wide from Bell from the second ball of her third over.

There was a half run out chance when Wolvaardt hit the ball into the covers and set off straight away, had the throw from Dean been a direct hit Brits would have been run out, but it missed the stumps and South Africa stay without loss.

Another ball too wide, Brits throws the hands through it and it races away for another boundary.

09:45am

OVER 4: SA 21-0 (Wolvaardt 13, Brits 6)

Smith starts her second over, with Brits squeezing out a single from the second ball.

Two runs from the over.

There was a half chance in Bell’s previous over with the four down the ground that was almost in reach, but she didn’t react quicklly enough.

09:42am

OVER 3: SA 19-0 (Wolvaardt 12, Brits 5)

Brits only needs two balls from Bell’s second over until she has her first boundary of the match, going straight down the ground.

Having got that one boundary, Brits is just watchful for the rest of the over, she has already scored a century this tournament, against New Zealand.

A leg bye from the final ball will see Brits keep the strike.

09:38am

OVER 2: SA 14-0 (Wolvaardt 12, Brits 1)

Linsey Smith has been used as an opening bowler throughout this tournament and today’s match is no different.

She lost her line and length against New Zealand in rhe heat and humidity but has had more control in the day-night matches.

Brits gets off the mark with a single, but Smith starts one too wide and Wolvaardt again places one through the gap in the off side field to the cover boundary.

09:34am

OVER 1: SA 9-0 (Wolvaardt 8, Brits 0)

Lauren Bell stands ready to bowl the first ball, and Laura Wolvaardt cracks it through the covers for four. It perfectly bisected the fielders.

The next ball is edged but well wide of slip and races away for another boundary. There is an extra bit of bounce in this pitch.

After that however, Bell tightens her line and bowls a bit tighter to the stumps, restricting the room for Wolvaardt.

She strays a touch too straight however, and there is the first wide of the day/.

09:25am

Alice Capsey: People are not questioning England’s fitness and fielding anymore

England have been found wanting on two fronts over the last 12 months: fielding and fitness.

But the day before their Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against South Africa, Alice Capsey insists the team have been able to “rewrite the narrative”.

A little over a year ago, England wilted under pressure and dropped five catches off a single batter as they exited the T20 World Cup in the group stage.

The team’s fitness was then repeatedly questioned during the 16-0 Ashes humiliation at the start of the year. It was a conversation that was set in motion a few months previously when former England international Alex Hartley said some of the members of the side were not up to required fitness standards. Sophie Ecclestone then refused an interview with her former team-mate during the Ashes.

As concerns grew, then head coach Jon Lewis made the ill-fated comment that the Australians had superior “athleticism” because of their warmer climate – observed, of course, on a walk between Bondi and Coogee.

To read the full interview with Alice Capsey, click here.

09:16am

South Africa team

South Africa make one change and have gone with the additional batter of Anneke Bosh.

Laura Wolvaardt said: “We would have had a bowl but runs on the board in a semi-final can be pretty good too.

“We’re playing an extra batter today. It felt like something we’ve needed in the last couple of games, someone to bat with Nadine de Klerk at the end. And we’ve still got lots of bowling options.

“It’s all about winning today. That’s the main goal.”

09:13am

Nat Sciver-Brunt says Ecclestone will play through pain

England have made no changes to the side that played the final group game against New Zealand.

But there were question marks over Sophie Eccelestone, and Sciver-Brunt said at the toss: “There is no doubt, she will be playing through pain but she is one of those people who will be raring to go.

“You have to hold your nerve and trust the process and everything you have done. Acknowledge the occasion and have a great time.”

09:11am

England win the toss and elect to bowl

Just as they did in the first game against South Africa, England have won the toss and will bowl first against South Africa.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said: “We’d like to bowl first. We want to put the pressure on and under the lights, it should be easier to chase.”

09:10am

England take on South Africa in the World Cup semi-final

Good morning and welcome to the live coverage of England’s semi-final against South Africa in Guwahati.

After missing out on reaching the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup last year, this is a chance of redemption and one for the new leadership of Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt to show what the side are capable of.

There is good news from the England camp ahead of the side, that world number one ranked ODI bowler Sophie Ecclestone is fit for the match.

She injured her shoulder in the first over of the final group stage match against New Zealand and had to leave the field. A scan revealed there was damage but she is believed to be fit enough to play a full role.

For England, they will be looking for a repeat of the opening game of the tournament, where at the same venue in Assam, they beat South Africa by 10 wickets and got their World Cup campaign up and running.

But South Africa bounced back. They went on to beat hosts India, although in their final group game they were bowled out for less than 100 by Australia.

This is the first of two semi-finals, with the winner taking on the winner between Australia and India on Sunday.

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