England’s Batting Resigned to Defeat After Wolvaardt Blitz

England’s batters “almost seemed resigned to defeat” as they walked out to chase 320, a total set up by a stunning Laura Wolvaardt blitz. They promptly collapsed to one for three and were eventually beaten by 125 runs, sending South Africa to their first-ever 50-over World Cup final.
The feeling of deflation was understandable. After England, led by Sophie Ecclestone (four wickets), had South Africa 202 for six, Wolvaardt (169) launched one of the great death-over attacks. She smashed 69 runs off 28 balls to lift her team to 319 for seven.
Marizanne Kapp then ensured England’s resignation was justified. She delivered a double-wicket maiden, bowling Amy Jones with a “nip-backer” and removing Heather Knight for a duck.
Kapp, who also became the all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker, returned to finish with five for 20. She broke a 107-run stand between Alice Capsey (maiden ODI fifty) and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
England were bowled out for 194, their top-order failure summing up a day where they were completely outclassed by Wolvaardt’s bat and Kapp’s ball.