Staff Reporter.
England will face Australia in the final of the Women’s World Cup after Danni Wyatt’s magnificent century propelled the defending champions to a 137-run defeat of South Africa.
Opener Wyatt took advantage of being dropped five times to crash 129 from 125 balls, the backbone of England’s 293-8 in Christchurch.
She added 116 for the fifth wicket with Sophia Dunkley, who made a measured 60, while Sophie Ecclestone rounded off the innings with 24 from only 11 balls.
South Africa’s chances of pulling off the largest chase in women’s one-day international history largely rested on the dangerous opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee.
But Anya Shrubsole, the hero when England beat the same opponents in the semi-finals in 2017, removed both to leave the Proteas 8-2.
Spinner Ecclestone, the world’s best bowler, then tore through the lower order for her first international five-wicket haul, ending with 6-36 as South Africa were dismissed for 156.
It continued a remarkable turnaround from England, who were on the brink of elimination after losing their first three games but have now won five in a row to reach a second successive final.
Heather Knight’s side will meet the all-powerful Australians at the Hagley Oval on Sunday (02:00 BST) in what promises to be a grandstand finale to a superb tournament.
England captain Heather Knight: “I’m really pleased. I think that was a complete performance from us today, what we’ve been searching for.
“The fact we have played knockout cricket for the last four games has helped us as well.
“We’ll go into the final as underdogs but it’s a fresh slate, we’re all equal on the morning of the game and what a story has been written for us if we can do it.”
South Africa captain Sune Luus: “We didn’t have our best fielding performance. They played extremely well today, and all credit to them. But we needed to bring our best performance today, and we didn’t, so we are feeling that.
“We needed to be more clinical. It’s something we will keep working on but we have had a great campaign, we won’t be taking away from that.”