South Africa produced a batting display for the ages, piling on 319 for seven—the second-highest total in World Cup knockout history—to humiliate England by 125 runs and surge into their first-ever 50-over final. The massive score was built by captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Wolvaardt was transcendent, hitting a maiden World Cup century before exploding at the death. She scored 169, with her final 69 runs coming from a blistering 28-ball assault.
England’s bowlers, who had done well to reduce the Proteas to 202 for six led by Sophie Ecclestone (four wickets), had their death-bowling plans shredded. Linsey Smith was hit for 20 runs in the 47th over as Wolvaardt ran rampant.
Set an impossible target, England’s batting “seemed resigned to defeat.” They collapsed to one for three, with their top three all registering ducks, as Marizanne Kapp delivered a fiery opening spell.
Kapp finished with five for 20, completing the humiliation. The 125-run margin reflected the gulf between the two teams, a gulf created by South Africa’s record-setting batting performance.
319/7: Proteas’ Knockout Record Total Humiliates England
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