SA W VS IN W ODI

That is it from this game then! We have the four teams which are going to be part of the Semi Finals. The first one is going to be played between Windies and Australia and the second one is a clash between England and South Africa. The first semi finals takes place on the 30th of this month and the action begins at 3.30 am IST (10.00 pm GMT, the previous day). The build up though begins a lot earlier. Do join us for that, till then, take care and goodbye!

Sunne Luus, the South African skipper, says that they are very happy. She adds that she is happy for Mignon du Preez and says that preparation would not have been better for the semis. She adds that the partnership between Lara Goodall and Laura Wolvaardt was crucial and all this will help going into the semis. She says that South Africa will be very proud of them and the way they have played in the tournament.

Mithali Raj, the Indian skipper, says that girls gave their all and it was a very good game She adds that she is proud of the girls for coming so far though this game ended their campaign. Tells that she thought that they have good score on the board and they have defended such score in the past. Mentions that Jhulan Goswami's experience was missed but it was chance for other girls to step up. Says that everything should come to an end and thanks fans for all the support and adds that everyone should keep supporting women’s cricket.

Mignon du Preez is the Player of the match. She starts by thanking god, she says she has been very fortunate and her teammates have been very supportive. Adds they gave themselves time and wanted to take it deep as they know what they can do towards the end. Mentions it has been tough few weeks but she is now heading into the semi finals with momentum. Ends by thanking the supporters.

Stay tuned for the presentation.

The Indians missed Jhulan Goswami with the new ball as they leaked a lot of runs in the first 15 overs or so. Despite the early wicket. Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall  managed to score freely. Harmanpreet Kaur though was the game-changer for the Indians, not only with the ball but also in the field. She got two vital breakthroughs and then also a couple of run outs. However, the likes of Rana and Pooja just were not at their best. Also, the dropped catch of Mignon by Mandhana did not help as that probably was the reason for the loss. India were just not good enough with the ball and the dew which came in later on also did not help. Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, courtesy a combined batting effort, India put up a really good score on the board on a wicket which was very good to bat on. South Africa though managed to chase it down. It is the second highest chase in the history of the World Cup.

The start though wasn't the best for South Africa, chasing this big score as they lost Lee early. Lara Goodall and Laura Wolvaardt got things back on track with a 100-plus stand. Laura Wolvaardt played yet another brilliant innings but both fell in quick succession. Then Sune Luus and Kapp along with Mignon du Preez  got South Africa back into the game but when Kapp fell, it seemed it is going to be India who are going to come out on top. Mignon du Preez though hung in there, she took it deep. She was also helped by Chloe Tryon who played a handy cameo but it was Mignon's calmness which helped her side get over the line. Yes, she was lucky but take nothing away from the superb knock she played.

Oh... no balls and oversteppings. The saying goes that we should learn from our mistakes. Take your minds back to 24th September, 2021. It was the second ODI during India Women's tour of Australia in Mackay. Australia needed 3 to win from 2 balls and Nicola Carey was caught. But it was deemed a full toss no ball. History almost repeated itself in this game, with Deepti overstepping. In that game it was Jhulan Goswami and this time it is the talented all-rounder, Deepti Sharma. Mistakes at a crucial juncture. Nerves? Well, not for the Proteas. The Men are known as chokers but the Women certainly have proved a point, haven't they?

That's it! India have been eliminated! Heart-breaking loss and it's a matter of so close yet so far for them. South Africa Women continue to win close encounters and have broken billions of Indian dreams here. This is full on middle. Mignon du Preez skips down the track and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single that was required. South Africa Women win by three wickets off the last ball of the game!

A fuller delivery on off. Shabnim Ismail hits it to covers for a single. Scores are level now!

The no ball has brought the equation down to 2 from 2 now.

NO BALL! Ohh...what an anti-climax! This is heart-breaking for India!  Tossed up delivery on off. Mignon du Preez skips down the track and hits it straight down the throat of Harmanpreet Kaur at long on. She takes the catch and India celebrate. However, yes, however, the umpire checks for a no ball and finds that Sharma has overstepped. So Mignon du Preez survives and this is a big blow to India's hopes. Free Hit coming up as well!

A single again! Fires this on off. Shabnim Ismail digs it to long off for a single. Are we in for a super over?

A fuller delivery on middle. Mignon du Preez works it to mid-wicket for a single. 4 needed now from 3 balls!

Shabnim Ismail is the next batter in.

OUT! RUN OUT! Trisha Chetty is short of her crease and as the replays confirm the same. So just a run in this ball. It is full on off. Mignon du Preez skips down the track and hits it hard to long on and looks for a couple. The throw is wide at the bowler's end from Harmanpreet Kaur but Sharma is alert and reaches for it and hits the stumps. What drama and what a cracker of a game this has been!

Is this a run out? Yes, it is. The replays show that Trisha Chetty is short of her crease.

Slower delivery on off. Chetty turns it to deep square leg for a single. A maximum needed now to seal it for South Africa.