England’s Semi-Final Hopes Shattered by 125-Run Loss

England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup final were shattered on Wednesday, as they were handed a 125-run drubbing by a dominant South African side. The Proteas, led by Laura Wolvaardt (169) and Marizanne Kapp (5/20), advanced to their first-ever 50-over final.
The match was lost in two devastating phases. First, after England’s Sophie Ecclestone (four wickets) had helped restrict South Africa to 202 for six, Laura Wolvaardt produced a stunning 28-ball, 69-run blitz. Her assault propelled the total to 319 for seven.
Second, England’s chase of the massive target was over in moments. Marizanne Kapp delivered a lethal double-wicket maiden, bowling Amy Jones and Heather Knight. The scoreboard read one for three, with all top-three batters dismissed for ducks.
A 107-run partnership between Alice Capsey (maiden ODI fifty) and Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the only resistance. However, Kapp returned to the attack to break the stand and complete her five-wicket haul.
In the process, Kapp also became the all-time leading wicket-taker in 50-over World Cups, adding a personal record to a historic day for South African cricket as England were dismissed for 194.