WWC: Edgy England beats SA in last-over thriller, qualifies for the final

Catch the updates of the first semifinal of the Women's World Cup 2017 between England and South Africa here.

Published : Jul 18, 2017 15:33 IST

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 18:  England batsman Jenny Gunn hits out  during the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 Semi-Final between England and South Africa at The County Ground on July 18, 2017 in Bristol, England.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 18: England batsman Jenny Gunn hits out during the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 Semi-Final between England and South Africa at The County Ground on July 18, 2017 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 18: England batsman Jenny Gunn hits out during the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 Semi-Final between England and South Africa at The County Ground on July 18, 2017 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Catch the updates of the first semifinal of the Women's World Cup 2017 between England and South Africa here.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.

Overs: England

 

And England has thwarted a late onslaught from South Africa to make it to its fifth Women's World Cup final. Jenny Gunn (27) and Fran Wilson (30) anchored the team home after a brief meltdown in the middle overs.

England will now face the winner of the semi-final between India and Australia.

Overs 45: England: 191/6

Another one bites the dust. Brunt is castled by Daniels, as England slips to 173/6. But Gunn and Wilson are not going down without a fight. South Africa now four wickets away from a place in the final, the host needs 28 runs. The semi-final hangs in balance!

Overs 40: England 169/5

Only 18 runs coming off the Powerplay. South Africa has clawed its way back into this contest, with England requiring another 53 runs off the last 10 overs. The required rate isn't a problem, but it's the wickets column that will keep the home dressing room on the tenterhooks.

Overs 35: England 147/5

England is imploding here! South Africa has nipped out three wickets in quick succession to leave the host reeling at 147/5. While Taylor (54)  is found short of her crease , Knight (30) hits a full toss off Luus straight to Wolvaardt at square-leg. Sciver (3) hands Luus her second wicket off the over after being bowled around her legs. Is there a twist in the tale?

Overs 30: England 123/2

Taylor and Knight have brought up the half-century stand without taking any unnecessary risks. The wicketkeeper-batsman showed signs of intent, when she played an imperious pull shot off Kapp to up the ante. England in charge.

Overs 25: England: 104/2

Knight gets a reprieve on 14 as wicketkeeper Chetty grasses an opportunity behind the stumps. Khaka could've had a third one there. With only 218 to defend, South Africa needs to take these half chances. England motoring along nicely at the moment.

Overs 20: England: 87/2

Despite losing both its openers, England still has its nose ahead. South Africa needs wickets to keep itself alive in the match, and Khaka's 2 for 18 from 6 has stalled the opposition to a certain extent. But with Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor at the crease, the host will fancy its chances.

Overs 15: England: 66/2

Khaka continues to impress with the ball. Her first wicket may be put down to poor shot selection by the batter but make no mistake, she has earned this one. And the tournament's highest run scorer - Beaumont - will have to take the long walk back to the dressing room. The makings of an exciting contest here!

Overs 10: England: 52/1

Birthday girl A Khaka strikes in her first over to get rid of Winfield, who miscues an almighty heave to point where du Preez completes an easy catch. South Africa has drawn first blood.

Overs 5: England: 25/0

England is off to a cautious start, with openers Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont reaching 25 without taking too many risks. South Africa would be hoping to make early inroads to stunt England's surge.

Second innings

Overs 50: South Africa: 218/6

Riding on du Preez's patient 76 off 95 balls, South Africa has limped its way to a modest 218/6 . A 77-run third-wicket partnership between Wolvaardt and du Preez was perhaps the only highlight of the South African innings. England on the other hand never let the opposition get out of sight, always chipping away at the wickets.

 

Overs 42: South Africa 170/5

And Van Niekerk (27) departs - second run-out of the match. Half of her team is now back in the dressing room with only 168 on the board. England will be delighted, South Africa is gifting wickets on a platter here.

Overs 37: South Africa 145/4

With just 19 runs coming off the last five overs, South Africa is clearly struggling to inject any kind of momentum in the innings. Du Preez is batting on 42 off 63 balls and the onus will be on her to anchor the team to a fighting total. Niekerk at the other end will look to play her shots.

Overs 32: South Africa 126/4

The scoreboard pressure takes a toll as South Africa loses two wickets in quick succession, Heather Knight having put England in the driver's seat. Wolvaardt (66) is undone by low bounce while M Kapp (1) falls short of the crease trying to steal a nonexistent single. South Africa has slipped from 124/2 to 126 /4.

Overs 30: South Africa 121/2

England continues to pile pressure on South Africa. However, the two batters have now put on 73 runs , with Wolvaardt carving two back to back boundaries off Sciver.

Over 25: South Africa 97/2

Runs are hard to come by with both Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez struggling to break the shackles. Woolvardt raises her seventh ODI half-century, her third against England, by chipping one over the bowler's head. However both batters would be hoping to up the ante with eight wickets in hand.

Over 20: South Africa 75/2

Laura look to have settled down. She is moving slowly. Mignon hit Alex Hartly for two fours in the 20th over, expressing her intentions to go after the English bowlers.

Over 15: South Africa 57/2

South Africa has lost another wicket. Natalie Sciver Trisha Chetty, who was looking dangerous. Trisha tried to play one going down the leg but missed it and Sarah Taylor picked up it, despite being blocked by the South African, and completed a sensational stumping. Mignon du Preez is the new batter.

Over 10: South Africa 41/1

England has introduced Natalie Sciver into the attack. However, after losing Lizelle, Trisha and Laura have steadied the South Africa innings. Trisha hit two fours in the 10th over off Sciver's bowling.

Over 7: South Africa 22/1

England struck early as Anya Shrubsole removed Lizelle Lee early in the match. Trisha Chetty and Laura Wolvaardt are out in the middle. England has used Katherine Brunt and Shrubsole till now.

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