Duck feast for South Africa

South Africa’s women celebrate entering at World Cup final for the first time
The heroines Marizanne Kapp (5 for 20) and Laura Volvaardt (169)

South Africa’s women cricketers made a grand entry in the World Cup final for the first time as they blasted out their English counterparts and in all probability savoured the win in the very first over when the charismatic fast bowler Marizanne Kapp removed Amy Jones and the experienced Heather Knight for ducks by shattering their stumps without a run on the board in the semifinal at Guwahati, India on Wednesday.
The worst then followed when the other opener Tammy Beaumont also fell for a duck caught behind in the first ball of the second over bowled by Ayabonga Khaka.
There was no stopping the South Africans who mercilessly hunted down the England women and bagged their fourth duck when late order batter Charlotte Dean was sent back without scoring in the first ball she faced as Kapp pocketed her third scalp and ended with figures of 5 for 20 off just seven overs that also included the prized scalp of top scorer Nat-Sciver Brunt for 64.
England could muster a mere 194 runs after they were set a massive target of 320 for victory.
England were favoured by many to book a place in the final ahead of South Africa having won the World Cup on four occasions, the second best after Australia’s record of seven World Cups. England also holds the unbeatable record of being the first to win the World Cup when it started in 1973, two years before the men’s World Cup began.
England were virtually buried after conceding South Africa a total of 319 for 7 in 50 overs with skipper Laura Volvaardt smacking a hurricane 169 in 143 balls that was spiced with 20 fours and four mighty sixes that set the course for their highest total in a World Cup knockout match.
South Africa entered the semifinals of two previous World Cups and on both occasions lost to England. But this time England had to eat the humble pie while South Africa feasted to glory.
Volvaartd’s innings was more than enough after she and her opening partner Tazmin Brits (45) put on 116 for the first wicket in just 22.2 overs.
The South Africans are now poised to meet either the winner of the second semifinal between India and Australia in a final that is expected to be a crackerjack of a match.
Scores:
South Africa 319 for 7 in 50 overs (Laura Volvaardt 169, Tazmin Brits 45, Marizanne Kapp 42, Chloe Tryon 38)
England 194 in 42.3 overs (Nat-Sciver Brunt 64, Alice Capsey 50, Marizanne Kapp 5 for 20)