The World Cup semi-final was a tale of two maiden milestones, but Laura Wolvaardt’s maiden World Cup century decisively trumped Alice Capsey’s maiden ODI fifty, as South Africa won by 125 runs.
Wolvaardt’s century (off 115 balls) was the platform for one of the great knockout innings. She finished on 169, adding 69 runs in 28 balls, to set a massive 319-run total.
Capsey’s maiden fifty was a lone act of defiance. She came in at one for three, after Marizanne Kapp (five for 20) had destroyed England’s top order.
Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt added 107, a courageous stand that showed England’s only fight. However, Kapp returned to break the partnership and end the resistance.
Wolvaardt’s maiden ton led her team to a historic first-ever final. Capsey’s maiden fifty was a silver lining on the dark cloud of England’s tournament exit.