SA Women beat IND Women SA Women won by 3 wickets – IND Women vs SA Women, ICC Women’s World Cup, 28th Match Match Summary, Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

For now, we know the Semi-Final line-up, the first will be a day game between Australia vs West Indies on the 30th at Wellington followed by a day-nighter between South Africa and England at Christchurch on the 31st at Christchurch.

For now, here’s a massive thanks to all of you for tuning in from me Ekanth, on behalf of my fellow commentator, Vishal Dikshit, our scorer, Ranjith P, and the match report writer, Firdose Moonda.

The meaning of this match almost needs to be zapped away from the details for now to see the big picture. Both teams tried everything in their stride to get through, be it run knowing it might lead to their wicket, bowl knowing the ball might slip out, and field knowing the behaviour of the ball or the grass cannot be trusted. Everything worked its way through to add to the equation, the play, and the drama. The no-ball in the end remain in cricketing memories, as will the efforts of Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, even Sneh Rana who did not have the best of games. They managed to keep the team in the hunt. But it wasn’t to be, thanks to a big partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall, the contributions with the bat from Sune Luus, Marizane Kapp, Chloe Tryon, and of course, Mignon du Preez. This was a celebration of cricket and witnessing it has been nothing short of enthralling and overwhelming, as the comments will show. Check out the match report, read about it from everywhere, watch all the interviews, ruminate, consume and be consumed by everything that’s happened today. It’s been that special.

Sune Luus, South Africa Captain: The team’s extremely happy, we’re happy for Mignon to finally get that 50. It’s been a tough tournament for her but to see her flourish like this today, it just makes all of our hearts happy. I think this is how the semi-finals is gonna be, it won’t be an easy match and today’s game was great preparation. To get a win on top of that is very good and we hope to take the momentum forward. On Lara Goodall, it’s amazing for her and what she can do when you know you can play with confidence and that the team backs you. Extremely happy for her, she should be proud of herself. Every batter came in tipped the game forward and that’s what we need. I think we’ve had a great campaign, no matter how you look at it, we still get that win. We, South Africans, can be very proud of that. All of those games could have gone the other way but to stay calm and get the win, I know it’s made the fans back home very proud of us as are our families. Hopefully, we can inspire girls and boys along the way.

Mithali Raj, India Captain: I personally think the girls have given it all knowing the importance of today’s game. It was a good game from both the sides, good for the sport but it ends our campaign but I’m very proud of our comeback into the tournament after a few losses. Our bowlers have been really good apart from a couple of games. I felt the score was a good total, coming from the fact that we have defended similar scores in the past. Jhulan’s experience would have added a lot but it was a good opportunity for the other bowlers. Everything does come to an end, it will take some time to settle the emotions but that’s what sport is… Thanks to everybody who’s turned out for every game of India. It was great to have all of you cheering for the girls. I hope you continue to support women’s cricket, the Indian Women’s team in the coming years.

Mignon du Preez, Player of the Match for her 52* (63): Thanks, guys, and to God who even game me a no-ball (laughs). He’s definitely on my side. I’ve been very fortunate, the girls have supported me throughout even though I didn’t start well with the bat, but to be able to do it for us today was special. The plan was to take it deep, we still had time and felt it would get easier. Kapp and I focused on taking it deep as Chloe was also slated to come in. It means the world, it’s been a tough few weeks when I haven’t contributed the way I liked but to do it when it matters and take the momentum to the semi final, I’d take that every day of the week. Thanks to all the fans, couldn’t have done it without your support.

From Sampath: Only the second time a team reached the target on the last ball in Women’s ODI World Cup. The other instance was by Sri Lanka against England in 2013.

9:34 pm: Jhulan looks with her hands covering her mouth in shock. The batters hug each other in the middle after du Preez leaps and swings her bat in celebration. After a tough tournament, Mignon du Preez stands up on the tough occasion, helped by luck right at the end and helps the team through to victory.