Take a bow bunch of history makers

THE Proteas Women under the leader- ship of skipper Laura Wolvaardt made history by reaching their first 50 over ICC World Cup final.

They will now be aiming to go one better than the two previous times they lost in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Wolvaardt’s side have previously qualified for successive T20 World Cup finals, but no side has reached the holy grail of the 50-over World Cup before Wednesday’s 125-run semi-final thrashing of England in Guwahati.

Wolvaardt led spectacularly from the front with a majestic 169 - her maiden World Cup century and also the first time a team captain has reached the milestone in a semi-final - to power the Proteas to 319/7. 

The skipper’s batting heroics were followed by star allrounder Marizanne Kapp, who had earlier stroked a crucial 42, five-star performance with the ball. Kapp ripped through the England top and middle-order to finish with figures of 5/20. 

The victory was extra special for the duo as they had been part of both Proteas teams that lost successive World Cup semi-finals to England in 2017 and 2022. 

“Very special. Everyone is really excited. Having lost to this opposition in two previous editions in the semis, it really hurt the group,” Wolvaardt said.

“Very special (to be history-makers).We have played some really good cricket, and are proud of the group.”

Equally, the historic victory had further gravitas as the Proteas were able to avenge their crushing 10-wicket defeat to England in the competition opener at the same venue three weeks ago.

Wolvaardt admitted that the trauma of being bowled out for 69 weighed on her ahead of the semi-finals.

“It did a little bit. Same opposition, same venue, your mind automatically goes back to your game,” said Wolvaardt, who also passed 5000 ODI runs. “So, really pleased to get the win tonight.”

Kapp’s performance with the ball was something to behold with the veteran picking up two wickets in the very first over of the run-chase before returning later in the innings to hammer in the final nails in England’s coffin.

Wolvaardt was elated with the veteran all-rounder’s performance with the ball.

“Kappie was amazing, taking the pressure off me,” she said. They (England) were 1-3, definitely did not expect that. Kappie was phenomenal. 

“Amazing to see her bowling like that. What she offers with the bat, she is like a two-in-one player and that is amazing.”

The Proteas will now await the winner of today’s second semi-final between hosts India and defending champions Australia to see who they will face in Sunday’s much-anticipated final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

“That will be an amazing game either way. If it is India with that crowd or world champions Australia. We will celebrate tonight and then go to the drawing board,” she added.

Cape Times