SEMI-FINAL MATCH REPORT : England v South Africa
Woah!!!! Who would have thought it when South Africa posted 218/6? It seemed far too few, but this is a World Cup semi-final. Mark Robinson wanted his team to be tested and tested they were, as the Saffers took the game down to the last over, and then to the last three balls. England still needed two runs and Anya Shrubsole had just walked to the crease after Laura Marsh had been bowled by Shabnim Ismail. Ismail had a packed offside field but no-one out. Ismail bowled full and wide and Shrubsole flayed the ball to the cover boundary, immediately lofting her bat in triumph....and relief! In truth it should never have got to that stage, after England had got to 52/1 after the first 10 over powerplay, having lost Lauren Winfield (20). South Africa will be kicking themselves. They had helped England along the way with several wides, many mishandled by keeper Chetty. In total they gave away 17 runs in wides, and gave England an extra 13 balls (10 wide deliveries and three no balls).