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England’s Sophie Ecclestone created history in Women’s World Cup 2022 semi-final against South Africa on March 31. Sophie registered the best bowling figures ever recorded in a semi-final or final of Women’s World Cup. She picked up six wickets for 36 runs to help her side beat South Africa by a massive margin of 137 runs at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
The left-arm spinner broke the record of her teammate Anya Shrubsole. The England pacer is now second on the list with bowling figures of 6/46 against India in the final of 2017 edition of the mega tournament.
The 22-year-old Sophie got rid of South African middle-order and lower-middle order batters. She picked up her first wicket in the 26th over. Marizanne Kapp became her first wicket. In her next over, she got rid of Choloe Tryon before she could play herself in. Mignon du Preez became her third victim in the 30th over. Wicketkeeper-batter Trisha Chetty and Shabnim Ismail stayed in the middle for a while but Ecclestone got rid of them and wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Masabata Klaas in the 38th over. Chasing a total of 294, South Africa got all out for 156.
This was Sophie’s maiden five-wicket haul in the 50-over format. With a scintillating performance in the semi-final, Sophie is now the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 wickets to her name from eight games. She has picked wickets at an impressive average of 12.85. Also, she has an economy rate of 3.40.
The next bowler on the list is Ismail, who will not take no further part in the tournament. Sophie will remain the highest wicket-taker of the tournament irrespective of the result of the final.
England will now play against Meg Lanning-led side at the same venue on April 3 (Sunday). This is England’s second consecutive 50-over World Cup final.
