Wyatt rose to the occasion of a World Cup semi-final, scoring her second ODI century, a superb effort that helped England Women reach 293-8. As South Africa was bowled out for 156, Ecclestone bowled with her customary control and skill to take 6-36, England Women’s second-best ODI stats.
After being asked to bat, Wyatt put on 100 for the fifth wicket with Sophia Dunkley (60), and Ecclestone’s 24 off only 11 balls propelled England to a score that would have required South Africa to chase a world record. Anya Shrubsole took two early wickets, making the South African chase more difficult, and England’s bowlers kept chipping away to keep Heather Knight’s team in front.
Wyatt began CWC22 batting at No. 6, but following England’s first two matches, she was promoted to the top of the order to partner Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order. Wyatt took a bit to get through, but she eventually did in the World Cup’s tail end, with 76* against Pakistan and now 129 from 125 balls against South Africa.
South Africa was defeated by England in a semi-final, just as they were in the 2017 Women’s World Cup at the same level. During the group stage, South Africa only lost to a powerful Australia and even beat England in a last-over drama.
However, under the pressure of a knockout match, they were unable to replicate that success, with a poor fielding effort and the lack of a top-line spinner exposing a batting line-up that appeared frail as soon as Wolvaardt was knocked for a duck.
England has made a fantastic comeback to be fair because when England lost their first three games in the tournament, no one gave them a chance. Five games later, they’re in the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, defending the championship they won in 2017. They’ll face arch-rivals Australia.
England had a disastrous start to the competition, losing their first three games to Australia, the West Indies, and South Africa. Every game after that was a virtual knockout. With a four-wicket victory over India, the turnaround began. In the following game, England came close to surrendering to New Zealand, almost losing a game that they were leading.
They kept their cool and triumphed by a single wicket. The games against Pakistan and Bangladesh were expected to be won by England, and they did it in a dominant fashion, reversing their low net-run rate. England will be facing Australia in the finals of the Women’s World Cup 2022 on Sunday to defend their 2017 title.
Edited by -Subbuthai Padma
Published by -Iram Rizvi
