Semi-Final Commentary

The stock ball, pitched wide outside off at length, is met with a mis-timed drive by Nadine de Klerk, who manages to squeeze a single despite the lack of control.

19.4

Linsey SmithtoShabnim Ismail

Linsey Smith bowls a short stock ball outside off; the batter attempts a cut but only manages an inside edge, leaving no runs on the board.

19.3

Linsey Smith delivers a stock ball, angling down the leg side at a back of a length. Shabnim Ismail works it with control through mid-wicket, calmly picking up a single. That’s Shabnim Ismail getting off the mark this innings.

19.2

A stock length ball wide outside off, met with a top-edge slog-sweep that scoots away for a single.

19.1

Lauren BelltoAyabonga Khaka

A short stock ball outside off, expertly cut by de Klerk for a well-timed two through the off side.

End of over 19

123/8-4 runs, 2 wickets

Ayabonga Khaka4 (3)

Lauren Bell2/28 (4.0)

18.6

Over 19. 4 runs. Bowler: Lauren Bell. South Africa Women: 8-123(rr 6.47) A yorker-length slower ball on middle stump surprises the batter who goes for a wild slog and misses completely. The ball crashes into the stumps, sending Ayabonga Khaka back to the pavilion bowled. Ayabonga Khaka departs for 4 off 3. South Africa Women now require 47 runs from 6 balls with only 2 wickets remaining, holding a slim chance of victory.

18.5

Lauren BelltoAyabonga Khaka

Bowled short outside off, this no-movement delivery is met with a controlled fend. Ayabonga Khaka splices it crisply past the slip cordon. Khaka gets off the mark with a boundary.

18.4

Lauren BelltoAyabonga Khaka

A full, slower delivery on middle stump is met with a mis-timed drive that stays grounded, allowing the bowler to cut off any run.

18.3

Lauren BelltoSinalo Jafta

A length ball outside off with no movement sees the batter push it quietly down the off side but is unfortunately run out off a direct hit. Sinalo Jafta departs for 1 run from 4 balls.

18.2

Lauren BelltoSinalo Jafta

Lauren Bell bowls a length ball just outside off stump. Sinalo Jafta attempts a drive but misses completely, leaving the ball to be safely collected by the wicketkeeper for no run.

18.1

Lauren BelltoSinalo Jafta

Lauren Bell bowls a length ball outside off, and Sinalo Jafta attempts a scoop but misses completely, resulting in a dot ball.

End of over 18

119/6-6 runs, 1 wicket

Nadine de Klerk14 (14)

Sophie Ecclestone1/21 (4.0)

17.6

Sophie EcclestonetoSinalo Jafta

Over 18. 6 runs. Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone. South Africa Women: 6-119(rr 6.61) The stock ball angling on off stump but just a gentle push by Nadine de Klerk yields no run as the ball is quickly fielded at cover. South Africa Women require 51 off 12 with four wickets in hand, a steep climb with the required rate soaring.

17.5

Jafta pushes a well-directed stock ball, pitched at length just outside off, nudging it carefully for a single. The batter gets off the mark to get South Africa moving.

17.4

Sophie EcclestonetoChloe Tryon

Sophie Ecclestone bowls a back of a length stock ball on off stump, and Chloe Tryon attempts a pull but misses, bowled cleanly by the spinner. Chloe Tryon goes for 12 off 11.

17.3

Nadine de Klerk attempts a flick off a length stock ball on the leg side but mistimes it, managing to eke out a single towards short fine leg.

17.2

Sophie Ecclestone delivers a full-length stock ball just outside off stump, met with a well-timed drive by Nadine de Klerk that stays grounded, yielding no run.

17.1

A back of a length stock ball outside off, expertly driven. Nadine de Klerk times it beautifully, sending it racing through cover for four.

End of over 17

113/5-12 runs

Chloe Tryon12 (11)

Charlie Dean2/31 (4.0)

16.6

Over 17. 12 runs. Bowler: Charlie Dean. South Africa Women: 5-113(rr 6.65) An off break on a back of a length, down the leg side. Chloe Tryon attempts a sweep, but mistimes it, and the ball is comfortably fielded at short fine leg for no run. South Africa Women face a tough chase needing 57 from 18 balls with five wickets in hand, but WinViz gives them no chance.

16.5

The off break pitches on a length down the leg side, and Chloe Tryon drives it well timed along the ground. The shot races past the infield and is misfielded long off for four runs. Chloe adds another boundary, her second in this over, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

16.4

Charlie DeantoNadine de Klerk

The off break is pitched back of a length on off stump, and Chloe Tryon drives it crisply through extra cover. The connection is sweet and the ball races away to the boundary.

16.3

Nadine de Klerk attempts a slog-sweep off the back of a length off break down leg, but it’s mis-timed and trickles to square leg where it's quickly fielded for a single.

16.2

Charlie DeantoNadine de Klerk

Charlie Dean floats an off break on a back of a length just on off stump, and Nadine de Klerk pushes it crisply along the ground for two runs, well timed and neatly placed into the deep extra cover region.

16.1

Charlie Dean bowls a length off break on middle stump, and Chloe Tryon confidently drives it along the ground to pick up a quick single.

End of over 16

101/5-3 runs

Chloe Tryon12 (11)

Freya Kemp1/11 (3.0)

15.6

Freya KemptoNadine de Klerk

Over 16. 3 runs. Bowler: Freya Kemp. South Africa Women: 5-101(rr 6.31) A length ball flicked hard by Chloe Tryon misses the bat and strikes her pad, adding an extra run. A sharp direct hit attempt for the run out comes close but the batter is safe. South Africa Women face a steep chase needing 69 from 24 with just five wickets left, and only a 1% chance according to WinViz.

15.5

Nadine de Klerk attempts a drive to a yorker outside off, but it’s slightly mis-timed and just manages to sneak through for a single. South Africa Women reach 100 for 5 in the second innings.

15.4

Freya KemptoNadine de Klerk

The slower ball on a length, angling on leg stump, is pushed quietly back towards backward point where it's fielded cleanly for no run.

15.3

Chloe Tryon deftly pushes the length ball down the leg side, picking up a quick single.

15.2

A length ball down the leg side with no movement. Chloe Tryon attempts a flick but misses, and the ball is quickly gathered by the wicketkeeper for no run.

15.1