Women’s World Cup 2022: South Africa seal semi-finals berth after washout against West Indies

Heavy rain showers at the Basin Reserve in Wellington made it difficult for the teams to play under the prevailing conditions, and as a result, the Women’s World Cup match between South Africa and West Indies had to be abandoned. With more than four hours of delay and only 10.5 overs of play in the game, both teams received one point each to their name. With nine points in the bag, South Africa has qualified for the World Cup semi-finals and West Indies advanced to third place on the points table with seven points.

After the toss was delayed due to the rain, the play was reduced to 26-over-per-side. Winning the toss, the Windies put the Proteas to bat first. Chinelle Henry struck in just the second over to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt as Deandra Dottin took a stunning catch, cutting off a boundary opportunity. At the end of six overs, South Africa was reduced to 25/4 as the players struggled to stay on the crease, and Henry successfully picked up three wickets, one each in every over that she bowled.

Mignon du Preez helps rebuild the South African innings

It was Mignon du Preez who helped her team get to sail from 25/4 to 61/4, hitting six boundaries in the innings. The play stopped again in the 11th over, and with 10.5 overs being bowled in the entire game, the match was abandoned. Lucky South Africans, their struggle on the pitch ended in their own favor as they qualified for the semi-finals alongside Australia, thanks to the one brownie point that they received.

If India or England lose their final game of the league stage, West Indies will make it through to the semi-finals. As South Africa stands in the second position in the points table, they’ve also set aside the fear of playing against the mighty Australians in their semi-final match.

With four more matches remaining to be played in the league stage, India, New Zealand, and England will fight really hard to make a place in the third and fourth position, and West Indies will have to hope for the best as they finish the World Cup league stage at seven points.