Welcome to Sportstar’s LIVE coverage of the Women’s World Cup [CWC 2022] semifinal match between South Africa and England in Christchurch on Thursday.
LIVE MATCH:
Who are you rooting for in the battle of the #1s?
#1 ODI bowler#1 ODI batter
22-year-olds ruling the world#CWC22 #SAvENG— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) March 31, 2022
PITCH REPORT: This seems to be a slower wicket, the same one used for the New Zealand vs Pakistan game. There’s a fair bit of wind and it’s sunny in Christchurch after rain overnight and an overcast morning. Bowlers can expect some assistance early on with dew expected to come in as the day goes on.
6:15AM: It’s the 100th ODI for Luus and Lee today. South Africa will hope to make it special with a win. England meanwhile in a win away from a solid chance to retain the Women’s ODI World Cup.
6AM: TOSS UPDATE – South Africa has won the toss and will bowl first
England (Playing XI): Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight(c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones(w), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlotte Dean, Anya Shrubsole
South Africa (Playing XI): Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus(c), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty(w), Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka
5:45AM: Head to head: South Africa and England have played 39 ODIs between them. England has won 29, while South Africa has won nine with one game being called off.
ROAD TO FINAL: South Africa lost just the one game enroute to the semi-final, incidentally that was against Australia. England lost their 3 opening games, staring down the elimination barrel before mounting a spirited comeback to keep their title defence alive.
5:30AM: What happened when the two met in the league stage:
South Africa produced an all-round display to beat defending champion England by three wickets to register a hat-trick of wins.
South Africa first rode on Marizanne Kapp’s (five for 45), her best ODI bowling figures, to restrict four-time champion England to 235 for nine and then Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 101 balls) held the innings together as it overcame a late scare to chase down the target with four balls to spare. More about this game:
Women’s World Cup 2022: All-round South Africa beat England to register hat-trick of wins
5:15AM: SF 1: Aussies send the Windies packing: Alyssa Healy hit her fourth one-day century in a monumental opening stand as Australia cruised into the Women’s World Cup final with a crushing 157-run victory over West Indies at Basin Reserve on Wednesday.
Australia will now face either holders England or South Africa, who meet in Thursday’s second semi-final, in Christchurch on Sunday looking to claim the trophy for the seventh time in 12 editions of the World Cup.
All about the first semifinal here:
Australia storms into Women’s World Cup final after mammoth win over Windies
5 AM: Hello everyone! After 28 matches, we are finally at the business end of the 12th edition of the Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. The tournament which was initially scheduled to be played in February – March 2021, was postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A one-sided first semifinal saw Australia oust West Indies from the tournament by a whopping 157 runs to make yet another final. South Africa and England will clash in the second semifinal today for one remaining place in the final.
WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH? LIVE STREAMING DETAILS
The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar at 6:30 AM IST.
