Women's World Cup 2022: Danielle Wyatt survives four drops enroute to century against South Africa in 2nd semi-final

Veteran England opener Danielle Wyatt put up a batting exhibition in the ongoing second semi-final against South Africa and slammed a blistering century. The dasher scored 129 off 125 deliveries as the Three Lions posted 293/8 while batting first at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. While Wyatt certainly played several delightful shots, she was well supported by the Proteas fielders.

Not once, not twice, not thrice but Wyatt was dropped four times in the game and South Africa paid the price heavily. It must be noted that a place in the Women’s World Cup 2022 final is at stake in this game. Hence, the Proteas team will definitely rue their fielding errors if the result doesn’t go in their favour.

Speaking of Wyatt’s lifelines, the 30-year-old was dropped on three occasions – 22, 36, and 77 – en route to her century and again on 116 after reaching the three-figure mark. Masabata Klaas was the unlucky bowler on the two occasions with Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp being the culprits. Lara Goodall and Shabnim Ismail were the other two Proteas fielders to assist Wyatt.

Nice to have a few drops off me today: Danielle Wyatt

While Wyatt was evidently pleased to slam a ton on such a big occasion, she also enjoyed the assistance from the South African fielders. “It’s cricket, few good catches taken off me in the tournament, nice to have a few drops today. Overall, I would like to score more runs but happy for today. We still have got a lot of work to do. We have got to bowl really well, take our chances and enjoy being out there,” Wyatt said after the conclusion of the first innings.

Notably, Wyatt is not the first opener to survive four drops in a World Cup semi-final. A decade ago, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar also got as many reprieves in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. Tendulkar ended up making 85 in the contest as the Men in Blue won by 29 runs. Needless to mention, England would want a similar result this time around.