Revenge was served cold in Guwahati, as South Africa erased the humiliating memory of being bowled out for 69 by England just weeks ago, piling on 319 for seven in a 125-run semi-final thrashing. The win sends them to their first-ever 50-over final.
England, no doubt “buoyed up by memories” of that 69-run rout, asked South Africa to bat first on the same ground. This time, there would be no collapse.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt, who has scored over 5,000 ODI runs, played an innings for the ages. Her 169, which included a 28-ball, 69-run blitz, powered her team to the second-highest total in knockout history.
Then, South Africa gave England a taste of their own medicine. Marizanne Kapp (five for 20) ripped through the top order, reducing England to one for three, with all three top-order batters out for ducks.
The 125-run victory was the ultimate turnaround. From 69 all out to 319 for seven, South Africa proved their mettle and marched historically into the final.