Razeen Gutta
South Africa chased down the second highest score in ICC Women’s World Cup history in Christchurch on Sunday morning.
India needed a win to qualify for the last four while the Proteas are already in the semi-final.
India opted to bat first and started well with a good opening stand by Smriti Mandhana and Shefali Verma, who both got half centuries.
Captain Mithali Raj (68) and Harmanpreet Kaur (48) did well in the middle and later overs to take India to 274/7. The score could well have been in excess of 300 if not for some right bowling by Proteas Shabnim Ismail (2/42) and Masabata Klaas (2/38).
The Proteas lost Lizelle Lee early to a run out, but the ship was steadied by a good partnership between Laura Wolvaardt (80) and Lara Goodall (49).
Player of the match Mignon du Preez came in at three down and remained not out until the end to take South Africa home.
It could have been very different had the penultimate delivery counted.
Du Preez lofted one wide of long-on to try and seal the three runs needed off two deliveries and was caught as India celebrated.
Deepti Sharma was judged to have overstepped by the narrowest of margins and du Preez instead ended up hitting a boundary off the final ball to win it.
“It means a lot. It’s been a tough few weeks as I haven’t contributed like I would have liked. To do it when it matters the most, getting the momentum right into the semi-final, I’ll take it anytime of the week,” du Preez said post-match.
South Africa will take on defending champions England in their last four encounter on Thursday after Australia and West Indies face off in the first semi-final on Wednesday.
Image source: @OfficialCSA
