Guwahati, Oct 29 (NationPress) The South African captain, Laura Wolvaardt, delivered an extraordinary performance in Women’s ODI World Cup history by scoring a remarkable 169 runs off 143 balls, leading her team to an impressive 319/7 in the first semifinal against England at the ACA Stadium on Wednesday.

Becoming the first female captain to hit a century in a women’s ODI knockout match, Laura struck 20 fours and four sixes, setting the record for the highest individual score for South Africa in a Women’s World Cup encounter.

Her innings showcased not just breathtaking shots but also a brilliant sense of timing – she reached her half-century in 52 balls, completed her tenth ODI century off 115 deliveries, and then accelerated impressively, scoring 69 runs in her last 28 balls.

The innings commenced with a solid partnership of 116 runs between Laura and Tazmin Brits, though a brief slump caused them to lose three wickets swiftly. Laura regained control with a composed 72-run partnership with Marizanne Kapp, before unleashing a late-inning attack that left England's bowlers scrambling.

Sophie Ecclestone was the standout in England’s bowling lineup, finishing with 4-44, despite battling a minor collarbone injury. The rest of the England bowlers struggled to manage Wolvaardt’s aggressive stroke play on a batting-friendly pitch. England now faces a challenging target of 320, which would be the second-highest successful chase in women’s ODI history.

After a group-stage setback against the same team, South Africa, buoyed by Laura’s remarkable performance, has shifted the momentum in their favor. Sent in to bat first, Laura started elegantly, driving Lauren Bell for a boundary before edging another for four.

She capitalized on the width and lengths offered by Linsey Smith, hitting four boundaries, while Tazmin also found her rhythm with a couple of fours as South Africa concluded the power-play at 58/0. A sweep shot off Sophie brought Laura to the milestone of 5,000 ODI runs, before she completed her fifty with a drive. With Tazmin timing her shots well, South Africa reached the century mark for their opening partnership.

However, Sophie’s double strike in the 23rd over revived England’s hopes – Tazmin fell for 45 after a reverse sweep went awry, and Anneke Bosch was dismissed for a three-ball duck. More pressure mounted on South Africa as Sune Luus was bowled while trying to play a slower delivery from Nat Sciver-Brunt.

At this point, Marizanne joined Laura to stabilize the innings. She began with three boundaries off Nat and struck four more off Sophie, Charlie Dean, and Alice Capsey. Even as she reached fifty in partnership with Laura, Marizanne received a reprieve when Lauren dropped a catch in the 34th over.

England’s decision to reintroduce Sophie proved fruitful as she ended the partnership by taking Kapp’s catch at mid-on for 42. A brief wobble ensued when Lauren bowled Sinalo Jafta, and Annerie Dercksen was also dismissed by Sophie.

Amidst all this, Laura secured her first World Cup century on her 115th ball, and she opened up her batting further by sweeping Sophie for four, then lofting Charlie for six. She followed that up with consecutive sixes and fours off Nat, showcasing her aggressive approach.

Laura’s onslaught continued as she pulled Nat for four, then hit her for six. She raised her 150 by pulling Linsey for another six before slamming three consecutive fours. Although Laura miscued a lofted shot to long-on off Lauren, her spectacular innings, combined with explosive shots from Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, propelled South Africa past the 300 mark, with an impressive 69 runs coming off the last five overs.

Brief scores:

South Africa 319/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 169, Tazmin Brits 45; Sophie Ecclestone 4-44, Lauren Bell 2-55) against England

–IANS