The Proteas women took a massive step towards qualifying for the semifinals of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup when they thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Taunton yesterday afternoon.
The win lifted the team from fifth to first on the eight-team log.
However, they were expected to drop to third by last night as the four teams below them, England, Australia, India and New Zealand were all still in action at the time of going to print.
With Australia cruising in their match against India and England on top against New Zealand, those two sides should overtake the Proteas on the log if they win.
This will leave it tight at the top with the last round of pool fixtures to be battled out on Saturday, with the Proteas taking on defending champions Australia in what is set to be a blockbuster match. But even if they were to lose against Australia the Proteas should have done enough to reach the quarterfinals as, with New Zealand taking on India in their final match, the Proteas should finish above one of those sides.
The Sri Lankan match yesterday displayed another dominant bowling performance that set the team on the way to victory. Sri Lanka were skittled for just 101 in 40.3 overs thanks to a player of the match performance from captain Dane van Niekerk who claimed 4/24 in eight overs, as well as brilliant backing up from pace bowler Shabnim Ismail who picked up 3/14 in 7.3 tight overs.
Sune Luus (1/12), Marizanne Kapp (1/13) and Masabata Klaas (1/17) also pitched in. While Ayabonga Khaka was unable to pick up a scalp, her 0/21 in five overs was economical.
Only three Sri Lankan batters, Chamari Polgampola (26), Dilani Manodara (25) and Prasadani Weerakkody (18) were able to get into double figures.
With just 102 for victory, the Proteas chase did not get off to the best start as in-form opener Lizelle Lee was caught behind for a second-ball duck and Trisha Chetty fell for 13, leaving the Proteas on 26/2 early on.
However, opener Laura Wolvaardt (48) and Mignon du Preez (38) shared an unbeaten 78-run partnership to emphatically lead the Proteas to an eight-wicket win with 161 balls to spare.
The final day of pool stage play will take place on Saturday, with South Africa up against Australia, England up against West Indies, New Zealand taking on India and Sri Lanka playing Pakistan.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies are all out of the running for the semifinals and it should be the match between New Zealand and India that decides the fourth semifinalist.
The Proteas match against Australia will be live on SuperSport 8 from 11:15am on Saturday.
SA women close in on Cup semis
The win lifted the team from fifth to first on the eight-team log.
However, they were expected to drop to third by last night as the four teams below them, England, Australia, India and New Zealand were all still in action at the time of going to print.
With Australia cruising in their match against India and England on top against New Zealand, those two sides should overtake the Proteas on the log if they win.
This will leave it tight at the top with the last round of pool fixtures to be battled out on Saturday, with the Proteas taking on defending champions Australia in what is set to be a blockbuster match. But even if they were to lose against Australia the Proteas should have done enough to reach the quarterfinals as, with New Zealand taking on India in their final match, the Proteas should finish above one of those sides.
The Sri Lankan match yesterday displayed another dominant bowling performance that set the team on the way to victory. Sri Lanka were skittled for just 101 in 40.3 overs thanks to a player of the match performance from captain Dane van Niekerk who claimed 4/24 in eight overs, as well as brilliant backing up from pace bowler Shabnim Ismail who picked up 3/14 in 7.3 tight overs.
Sune Luus (1/12), Marizanne Kapp (1/13) and Masabata Klaas (1/17) also pitched in. While Ayabonga Khaka was unable to pick up a scalp, her 0/21 in five overs was economical.
Only three Sri Lankan batters, Chamari Polgampola (26), Dilani Manodara (25) and Prasadani Weerakkody (18) were able to get into double figures.
With just 102 for victory, the Proteas chase did not get off to the best start as in-form opener Lizelle Lee was caught behind for a second-ball duck and Trisha Chetty fell for 13, leaving the Proteas on 26/2 early on.
However, opener Laura Wolvaardt (48) and Mignon du Preez (38) shared an unbeaten 78-run partnership to emphatically lead the Proteas to an eight-wicket win with 161 balls to spare.
The final day of pool stage play will take place on Saturday, with South Africa up against Australia, England up against West Indies, New Zealand taking on India and Sri Lanka playing Pakistan.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies are all out of the running for the semifinals and it should be the match between New Zealand and India that decides the fourth semifinalist.
The Proteas match against Australia will be live on SuperSport 8 from 11:15am on Saturday.
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