A maiden World Cup hundred from Danni Wyatt and six for 36 from Sophie Ecclestone – her first five-wicket haul in international cricket – powered England into the World Cup final as they handed South Africa a 137-run defeat at Christchurch on Thursday.
England amassed 293 for eight before Ecclestone, brought into the attack unusually late in the 24th over, ripped through South Africa’s lower order to cement her position as the leading tournament wicket-taker, taking all of the last six wickets to fall. For England, the comprehensive win completes a remarkable turnaround in the tournament, which began with three losses and likely elimination for the defending champions, before they secured five wins on the trot at the business end.
