A no-ball within the last over of the match made all of the distinction in a thriller as India crashed out of the ICC Women’s World Cup with a last-ball three-wicket defeat to South Africa in Christchurch on Sunday.
Chasing 275 for victory, South Africa wanted three runs off two balls with Mignon du Preez (51) on strike. It was their recreation to lose. But off-spinner Deepti Sharma had du Preez gap out to Harmanpreet Kaur at long-on. That would have meant three wanted off the final ball with two tail-end batters on the crease, making India the favourites to seal the win and a semifinal spot.
But whereas they have been celebrating, a no-ball examine discovered that Deepti had overstepped by the slenderest of margins. Not solely was Du Preez recalled, South Africa received an additional ball – that too a free hit – and received house.
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1 and a wicket
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No ball, giving a lifeline to du Preez!
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Still processing the ultimate over … 🤯#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/gDRtMJoV1i
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022
India can blame misfortune for his or her ouster, however additionally they contributed to their very own downfall. Dropped catches, poor floor fielding, uninspiring captaincy, and a few clueless bowling in the direction of the top meant final version’s shedding finalists ended their marketing campaign on the Hagley Oval. That skilled pacer Jhulan Goswami didn’t play as a consequence of a facet pressure might have made a little bit of distinction to the end result.
A dramatic end to one more #CWC22 thriller with South Africa rising as victors on the ultimate ball towards India ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ufPw44K4Pv
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022
Valiant Harmanpreet
Harmanpreet, at the least, didn’t should be on the shedding facet. The India vice-captain scored a 57-ball 48 and offered India with the much-needed breakthrough with the wicket of the match’s main run-scorer Laura Wolvaardt (80 off 49 balls; 11x4s). Thereafter, she trapped South African skipper Sune Luus (22 off 27 balls; 1×4). Not to overlook the three run-outs she was liable for. Her pinpoint throw caught Lizelle Lee (6) wanting the crease to supply India their first wicket.
When du Preez (52 not out off 63 balls; 2x4s) and Marizanne Kapp (32 off 30 balls; 3x4s) have been concerned in a 47-run stand for the fifth wicket, it was Harmanpreet’s underarm throw to wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh’s gloves that caught Kapp brief. Du Preez was given a reprieve within the forty fourth over, with Mandhana dropping a regulation catch within the deep however India made up for it by operating her out two balls later.
Direct-hit 🎯
An excellent piece of fielding from Harmanpreet Kaur will get the wicket of Lizelle Lee for six. #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/vqRjGMm3xm
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022
Needing 45 off 30, the tide shifted in South Africa’s favour within the subsequent two overs, with Chloe Tryon and Du Preez discovering 5 boundaries to carry the required run charge all the way down to nearly a-run-a-ball. Rajeshwari Gayakwad struck with the ultimate ball of the forty sixth over, taking a easy return catch off Tryon’s forefront.
With 14 wanted off two overs, South Africa determined to keep away from dangers in Gayakwad’s last over, taking part in the sector to take seven runs. Du Preez received to her fifty within the last over, however Trisha Chetty was run out on the identical ball after they tried to steal a brace.
Last-over drama
It all got here all the way down to the one centesimal over of the sport. Du Preez’s tried massive shot couldn’t clear the boundary, just for the supply to be adjudged a no-ball on replay.
With two wanted from the final two balls, the South Africans averted any extra dangers and eradicated India from the World Cup, taking West Indies into the ultimate 4.
Rampant Shafali
Sanjay Manrekar, on-air, stated, “Shafali Verma is a rare gift to Indian women’s cricket. And the team management must take great care of her.”
The Indian opener had made her intentions clear very early. She took on Shabnim Ismail, the quickest bowler of the match, and hit her for a hat-trick of boundaries. Luus needed to take away her trump card from the assault after she conceded 31 runs in her first three overs. However, the skilled bowler made a fiery comeback with figures of 7-1-11-2 in her subsequent spells.
A scorching knock from Shafali Verma who brings up her third ODI fifty 🔥#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/xIeqQQPUcD
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022
Shafali (53 off 46 balls; 8x4s) was run out within the fifteenth over after a weird mix-up with opening accomplice Smriti Mandhana, sacrificing her wicket for the senior participant.
Yastika Bhatia (2) adopted shortly after to Chloe Tryon (1/24) as India have been lowered to 96/2.
Smriti and skipper Mithali Raj regarded assured on the crease earlier than a second of brilliance on the sector ended the 78-run stand. Smriti tried to clear the in-field, however a surprising catch by Tryon diving to her flawed facet ended her innings on 71.
After a couple of quiet overs, Mithali began to take the assault to the bowlers and received to her fifty within the thirty sixth over. The onslaught continued earlier than one other good catch from Tryon despatched the skipper again.
South Africa managed to tie India down at the beginning of the ultimate 10 overs with a short-ball ploy. Pooja Vastrakar was pushed up the order, however the transfer didn’t work as she was dismissed by Ismail’s slower ball.
Boundaries have been laborious to come back by earlier than Harmanpreet lastly discovered her timing within the forty eighth over with two consecutive fours to provide some impetus to the innings. The South Africans once more pulled it again within the last two overs with the wickets of Richa Ghosh and Kaur to limit India to 274/7.
We have our 4 semi-finalists 💪#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/oo1fU8SR7u
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 27, 2022
Semi-final line-up
West Indies will lock horns with till-now unbeaten Australia in Wellington within the first semi-final on Thursday, whereas South Africa will probably be up towards defending champions England in Christchurch on Thursday.
Brief Scores
India 274/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 71, Shafali Verma 53, Mithali Raj 68, Harmanpreet Kaur 48; Shabnim Ismail 2/42) misplaced to South Africa 275/7 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 80, Lara Goodall 49, Mignon du Preez 52 not out; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/42) by three wickets
