England will face South Africa in the Women's World Cup semi-finals live on Sky Sports from 2pm on Thursday after securing their place in the final four with victory over Bangladesh
Sunday 27 March 2022 15:14, UK
South Africa beat India by three wickets in a thrilling finale to set up a semi-final showdown with England at the Women's Cricket World Cup.
Needing one run off the final ball of the innings, Mignon du Preez punished a full ball through mid-wicket to lift the Proteas to their target of 275 and finish on an unbeaten 52.
It capped a dramatic finish that had seen India denied a wicket on what looked to be the penultimate delivery when Du Preez failed to clear the safe hands of Harmanpreet Kaur, only for a close front-foot no-ball to be called against Deepti Sharma.
South Africa levelled the score with the subsequent free hit, before Du Preez finished things off to end India's World Cup campaign. They will now face England in the semi-finals at 2pm UK time on Thursday, while undefeated Australia take on West Indies.
India won the toss and elected to bat, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma offering up a 91-run first-wicket stand before the latter was run out for 53.
Mandhana combined with Mithali Raj for another 80 until she was caught for 71 off 84 balls to leave India 176-3 after 32 overs.
Skipper Raj was eventually caught for 68 from 84 having put up another 58 with Kaur, who was finally bowled for 48 as India finished on 274.
South Africa's bowling attack had been led by Shabnim Ismail, who had 2-42 from 10 overs, alongside Masabata Klaas' 2-38.
Their reply stuttered early when Lizelle Lee was run out for six in the fifth over, but Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall responded emphatically with a 125-run stand to put their side back in contention.
Wolvaardt was finally bowled by Kaur for 80 off 79 deliveries, just six deliveries after Goodall had been stumped for 49 by Richa Ghosh off the bowling of Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
The pressure turned to Du Preez and Marizanne Kapp with South Africa sitting on 198-4 with 10 overs remaining.
Kapp chipped in with 32 off 30 followed by a useful 17 off nine from Chloe Tryon to reduce the run rate, before Du Preez and Trisha Chetty carried their team over the line having required 20 from the final three overs, 14 off the final two, and six to win it over the final six balls.
