South Africa Women qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinals after their group game against West Indies Women at Basin Reserve in Wellington was called off due to excessive rain on Thursday (March 24). West Indies, who have seven points from seven games, will now have to wait for India and England to finish their quotas before seeing if they can enter the last four.
Rain causes the abandonment of the match
The match was delayed due to rain, and when the conditions were considered suitable for play to begin, it was reduced to a 26-over-per-side contest. After winning the toss, West Indies chose to bowl first on predicted lines, and their bowlers were on fire from the start. Deandra Dottin took a one-handed catch to inflict the first blow after Laura Wolvaardt cut Chinelle Henry to the left of the point.
Shamilia Connell struck four balls later, as Lizelle Lee barely managed a top edge when attempting a heave. Sune Luus hit one tamely to backward point to retire for one as the wickets continued to fall as the West Indies struck again to make it three wickets in three overs. South Africa was reduced to 22/4 as Henry took her third wicket of the game by dismissing Tazmin Brits.
The lost hopes of West Indies over South Africa after the rain stoppage
West Indies would have been ecstatic to pull up a big win at that point, boosting their prospects of reaching the semi-finals. Mignon du Preez. On the other hand, launched a counter-offensive, scoring 38 off just 31 deliveries before the rain returned, effectively obliterating any prospect of play resuming.
West Indies will now be concerned about the outcome of other games, as India can now clinch their position in the tournament with a win over South Africa in their final league match.
The inevitable champions, England, may earn a place in the tournament provided they win their final games against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
