Laura Wolvaardt's Blazing 169 Steers South Africa to Record Total

In a stunning display of batting brilliance, Captain Laura Wolvaardt led South Africa to a formidable score of 319 for seven in the Women's ODI Cup semifinal with a remarkable innings of 169 off just 143 balls. Her performance was crucial in setting a challenging target for England, who would now require a record chase to secure victory.

Despite two mini collapses engineered by England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, Wolvaardt provided the anchor for South Africa's innings. Initially partnering with Tazmin Brits in a 116-run stand, her resilience shone through even as Ecclestone disrupted their momentum by taking critical wickets in the 22nd over.

Wolvaardt's masterclass continued with support from Marizanne Kapp, as the duo added another 72 runs before Ecclestone intervened once more. At 202 for six, South Africa risked falling short of expectations, but Wolvaardt elevated her game with a stunning array of shots, propelling her team past the 300-run mark and into a dominating position.