India have won the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time after a thrilling 52-run victory over South Africa in a rain-delayed final in Navi Mumbai.
Match Summary
South Africa accelerated after a cautious start to their chase and reached 51 without loss when Tazmin Brits (23) was run out by a direct hit from Kaur, with Bosch trapped lbw by Shree Charani - without scoring - soon after.
Wolvaardt passed Alyssa Healy's record of most runs in a single World Cup and completed her half-century with back-to-back boundaries, before India claimed two quick wickets when Luus chipped back to Verma and Kapp edged the 21-year-old behind in the next over.
Jafta almost run out Wolvaardt chasing a quick single but was dismissed herself in the same Sharma over, picking out Yadav at short mid-wicket, but Dercksen and Wolvaardt pushed South Africa passed 200 and set up a thrilling finish.
Sharma dismissed Dercksen with a stunning yorker in the same over Wolvaardt completed her brilliant century, where she became just the second player to post a hundred in the semi-final and final of a World Cup.
Read also: Nigeria vs. Sierra Leone: Classic Encounters
Amanjot needed multiple attempts to keep hold of Wolvaardt's hack towards deep midwicket and put South Africa seven down, with Tryon trapped lbw in the same over - on umpire's call - and Khaka run out trying to take a quick single soon after.
Sharma secured India's victory by taking her fifth wicket when De Klerk scooped the ball to captain Kaur, around midnight local time, with India becoming just the fourth nation to ever win the Women's Cricket World Cup.
When is cricket next live on Sky Sports?
Key Performances
- Deepti Sharma: Player of the Match with 87 runs (78 balls) & 2/36
- Player Of The Series: 215 runs • 22 wkts
Deepti also bowled Annerie Dercksen (35) to end a 61-run sixth-wicket stand, before claiming the key wicket of Wolvaardt - via a juggling Amanjot Kaur catch - and Chloe Tryon (nine) in her next frantic over to move momentum back India's way.
She then capped off her player-of-the-match display by running out Ayabonga Khaka (one) and by dismissing Nadine de Klerk (18), leaving South Africa dismissed for 246 in the 46th over and India celebrating a historic victory.
Read also: Exodus: Key events and figures.
Khaka also removed Jemimah Rodrigues (24) after a sharp low catch from Wolvaardt and Harmanpreet Kaur (20) was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba, with Amanjot Kaur (12) caught and bowled by De Klerk as South Africa battled back.
Sharma steadied the innings with a run-a-ball 58, adding 47 with Richa Ghosh (34) for the sixth wicket, before being run out on the final delivery as India posted the second-highest total in a World Cup final.
Reactions
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt: "I think I couldn't be prouder of this team for the campaign we have had. We have played some incredible cricket throughout. Outplayed today - I think India played fantastically well. Unfortunate to be on the losing side but I am sure we ill grow from this as a group."
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur: "I am so grateful for this crowd, they have been so amazing. Thank you so much. The belief was there after we lost three back-to-back games but we know this team is special. Credit goes to each and every member of this team that we stayed positive."
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, speaking to Sky Sports: "It [popularity of women's cricket in India], was going in that direction already with the WPL [Women's Premier League] and the way this cricket team have played over the last couple of years. They just needed this evening, this tournament, to put a little seal on that deal."
Read also: African American Hairstyles
The crowd have been magnificent and the team have been magnificent. They had that little blip in the middle of the tournament, but they started well and they've ended well. In the end, they just had too many players in form compared to South Africa.
"If you look through that Indian line-up, there were a lot of players in pretty good nick by the end of the tournament. Unfortunately for South Africa, especially with the bat, they relied heavily on one or two, and that's why they had to play the extra batter. Fair play to South Africa, they played a lot of good cricket themselves. India were just too good, as we've seen in this part of the world - men or women and in any format - they're a very difficult side to beat."
Sky Sports shows every England home Cricket Test, ODI and T20, exclusively live.
INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA ICC WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINAL FULL HIGHLIGHTS | IND vs SA
India A vs South Africa A
India A vs South Africa A Highlights, 1st Unofficial Test Day 3: Captain Rishabh Pant kept India A alive in their chase of 275 against South Africa A in the first unoffical Test in Bengaluru.
Pant, who is playing his first game after returning from injury, slammed an excellent half-century, remaining unbeaten on 64 as India reached 119/4 at Stumps on Day 3.
India A were reduced to 32/3 in their chase, as Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Mhatre and Devdutt Padikkal departed quickly. However, Pant, along with Rajat Patidar, bailed India out of trouble. Earlier in the day, South Africa A were bundled out for 199 in their second innings.
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
