England thrash South Africa to reach Women’s Cricket World Cup final

England will face Australia in the final of the women’s Cricket World Cup after a comprehensive defeat of South Africa by 137 runs.

Danni Wyatt was dropped five times on the way to 129 from 125 balls as England set a total of 294 for South Africa to reach.

However, they got off to the worst possible start with openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt both losing their wickets cheaply to Anya Shrubsole with the new ball. The run chase never really got going, England’s Sophie Ecclestone dispatching the middle order and ending a spell of brief resistance from Shabnim Ismail before mopping up the innings with her fifth and sixth wickets as South Africa ended on 156 all out.

It meant Heather Knight’s side avenged their group stage defeat against South Africa, and reached the final to defend the title they won at Lord’s in 2017.

Raf Nicholson’s report to follow