England posted an impressive 293/8 against South Africa in the second semifinal of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Hagley Oval on Thursday, thanks to opener Danni Wyatt scoring 129 off 125 balls.
Wyatt had a lot of luck on her side, as she was dropped five times in the innings (22, 36, 77, 116, and 117), twice in an Ayabonga Khaka over. In a replay of a thrilling 2017 World Cup quarterfinal, Wyatt took the attack to South Africa’s bowlers and put their usually tight fielders under strain.
During the middle overs, Danni Wyatt formed useful partnerships with Sophia Dunkley (60) and Amy Jones (28) as England took the upper hand.
Experienced pacers Shabnim Ismail (3/46) and Marizanne Kapp (2/52) performed admirably for South Africa. However, England, and in especially Wyatt, dominated South Africa’s other bowling options.
With the score on 10, Kapp gave South Africa the greatest start by dismissing opener Tammy Beaumont (7), before captain Heather Knight joined Wyatt and the pair went about rebuilding England’s innings.
While Knight was extremely careful at the crease, Danni Wyatt tried to attack, and Kapp saved her when she squandered an easy fielding opportunity. To compound to England’s troubles, Khaka (1/66) trapped Knight lbw for one after taking a late review, and it was 77/3 soon after when Nat Sciver fell to Ismail for just 15.
After that, Wyatt and Jones put up 49 for the fourth wicket before Kapp returned to the attack and took her second wicket when Chloe Tryon hung on to send Jones back to the pavilion.
Dunkley, who scored her second World Cup fifty in as many games, was the ideal companion for Wyatt as the couple put on a 116-run stand to put England on track for a big total and set up a tough chase for South Africa.
England 293/8 in 50 overs vs South Africa (Danni Wyatt 129, Sophia Dunkley 60; Shabnim Ismail 3/46, Marizanne Kapp 2/52)