Shock and Awe: Wolvaardt’s Power-Hitting Leaves England Reeling

England were left reeling from a display of ‘shock and awe’ power-hitting by Laura Wolvaardt, whose 28-ball, 69-run blitz set up South Africa’s historic 125-run semi-final victory. The Proteas captain’s 169 was an innings that demoralized her opponents.
England had fought their way into a strong position, with Sophie Ecclestone’s four wickets reducing South Africa to 202 for six. A manageable chase was on the cards.
But Wolvaardt, who had just reached her century, unleashed an attack of stunning brutality. She hit four sixes and took 20 runs from a single Linsey Smith over, leaving the English fielders watching in disbelief.
The total rocketed to 319 for seven. The psychological damage was done, and England’s batters “almost seemed resigned to defeat.”
Marizanne Kapp (five for 20) then translated that shock into a collapse, reducing England to one for three. Wolvaardt’s awe-inspiring power had set the tone, and England never recovered.