High drama as England's women reach World Cup final

ENGLAND reached the Women's World Cup final by winning a nerve-shredding contest against South Africa with only two balls to spare.
England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates hitting the winning runs with Jenny Gunn against South Africa. Picture: David Davies/PAEngland's Anya Shrubsole celebrates hitting the winning runs with Jenny Gunn against South Africa. Picture: David Davies/PA
England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates hitting the winning runs with Jenny Gunn against South Africa. Picture: David Davies/PA

Anya Shrubsole hit the decisive boundary to seal a two-wicket win for England, who were left needing two runs from the last three balls of a dramatic contest in Bristol.

South Africa had earlier set England a target of 219 to win after Laura Wolvaardt (66) and the unbeaten Mignon du Preez (76) had given the underdogs hope of a shock victory.

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But Sarah Taylor set England on their way with 54 before Jenny Gunn (27 not out) and Shrubsole dragged their team over the line.

South Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PASouth Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PA
South Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PA

England will now face either Australia or India in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.

England were unchanged from their victory over the West Indies while Chloe Tryon replaced Masabata Klaas for South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat.

Wolvaardt opened the innings with a boundary but Lizelle Lee, having earned a reprieve for a successful lbw review, was the first wicket to fall as she was bowled by Shrubsole (1-33).

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Trisha Chetty was next to depart, stumped by Taylor for 15, and Wolvaardt almost followed suit but was dropped by Alex Hartley on 34.

South Africa's Trisha Chetty is stumped by England's Sarah Taylor. Picture: David Davies/PASouth Africa's Trisha Chetty is stumped by England's Sarah Taylor. Picture: David Davies/PA
South Africa's Trisha Chetty is stumped by England's Sarah Taylor. Picture: David Davies/PA

Wolvaardt passed 50 while forging a strong partnership with Du Preez and it was not until the 32nd over that England managed another breakthrough as Wolvaardt was bowled by Heather Knight to leave South Africa 125-3.

Their momentum was checked from then on and while Dane van Niekerk (27) and Sune Luus (21) made notable contributions alongside Du Preez, 218 always felt an achievable target.

England’s response got off to a steady start too but Lauren Winfield (20) and Tammy Beaumont (15) were removed within four overs to give South Africa hope.

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At 61 for two, however, Taylor and Knight held their nerve, the former making a crucial half-century before being run out by Van Niekerk and Knight scoring 30 before she was brilliantly caught by Wolvaardt.

South Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PASouth Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PA
South Africa's players and staff show their dejection after defeat to England at Bristol. Picture: David Davies/PA

Another quick wicket, this time Natalie Sciver bowled by Luus for three, set English nerves jangling but Fran Wilson (30) and Gunn (27no) edged the hosts closer to their total.

In between, Katherine Brunt was bowled by Moseline Daniels for 12 and when Wilson was eventually caught behind, Gunn and Laura Marsh were left needing three to win from the final over.

Gunn was dropped by Ismail first up before a single meant England needed two from four balls.

That became two from three when Marsh was clean bowled by Ismail but Shrubsole coolly stroked her first ball for four to seal a pulsating England victory.