Twitter Reactions: All-round South Africa sink England's ship to storm into maiden T20 World Cup final

After Australia secured their berth in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 on February 23, the search for the second finalists began as England and South Africa faced off in the second semi-final on February 24 (Friday). South Africa captain Sune Luus called it correctly at the toss and elected to bat first at Newlands, Cape Town.

The Proteas openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits started the innings positively and kept the scoreboard moving from ball one. Both openers were cautious early on and waited for the bad deliveries to get the scoring opportunities. After scoring just 14 runs in the first overs, Wolvaardt and Brits got a move on and finished the Powerplay with 37 runs on the board.

The last two overs of the powerplay got the openers into the groove as they began scoring freely all around the ground. Wolvaardt completed her half-century off just 42 balls in the 14^th over and looked to press on the accelerator. However, her innings got ended in the same over with Sophie Ecclestone getting England’s first breakthrough.

The opening partnership ended on 96 off 82 balls as the duo continued their good form. Wolvaardt’s dismissal brought Kapp to the crease and she gave good support to Brits, who scored 68 off 55 balls. The duo added 46 runs for the second wicket as Kapp also played a magnificent cameo of 27 off 13 balls to take South Africa to 164/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, picking 3/22 in four overs.

In reply, England got off to a blistering start as Danielle Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley added 53 runs for the first wicket in just 31 balls. Seeing England running away with the game, Shabnim Ismail ended the opening partnership by dismissing Dunkley and further dismissed Alice Capsey for a duck in the same over.

South Africa got their third strike in the 11^th over as Wyatt was sent back by Ayabonga Khaka. With the game stuck in a precarious position, captain Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-brunt stitched a 47-run stand for the fourth wicket to bring England in the ascendancy.

Ayabonga Khaka's triple strike brings South Africa back in the game

After Nadine de Klerk broke the partnership by dismissing Brunt for 40 off 34, Ayabonga Khaka wreaked havoc as she picked up three wickets in the 18^th over to shift the momentum in her team's favour.

With 25 required from the last two overs, captain Heather Knight kept England in the hunt and scored 12 runs in the 19th over. Ismail was given the responsibility to defend 13 runs in the final over and she didn't disappoint as she destroyed the stumps of Knight on the third ball to crush England's hopes.

England's tail could not take their team home as South Africa won by six runs to enter the final of the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time. Khaka was the pick of the bowlers as she picked 4/29 in four overs, while Ismail picked 3/27 in four overs.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Shafqat Shabbir@Chefkat23

Shabnim Ismail. 6 years apart. A tale of two World Cup semi-finals against England.

09:45 PM · Feb 24, 2023

4211

Firdose Moonda@FirdoseM

Cape Town's very own Shabnim Ismail delivered one of the fastest overs in women's cricket and defended 12 off the last over. She promised she would be take South Africa to the final and she's done it. And how about Tazmin Brits! That javelin arm and those hands. #cricket

Firdose Moonda@FirdoseM

Not forgetting Ayabonga Khaka, the ever-reliable seamer who turned it up in her last over. Khaka is often in the shadows of Ismail and Kapp but she brings consistency to the South African attack and was the silver bullet today.

09:57 PM · Feb 24, 2023

224

Ian Pont Official@Ponty100mph

Unreal! Ismail bowls the fastest ball ever bowled by a female and the first at 80mph. Incredible. #SAwvEngw #WTC2023 #WT20WorldCup

08:40 PM · Feb 24, 2023

12010

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

Raja Kesavan@silentstromraja

@ICC Congratulations #TeamSouthAfrica Phenomenal performance #WomensCricket #T20WomensWorldCup 👍

09:46 PM · Feb 24, 2023

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ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

Abhijeet ♞@TheYorkerBall

@ICC England did an India here, choked from a winning position, lost 41-5 in last 5

09:43 PM · Feb 24, 2023

20

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

Masooq Jeffrey@jeffrey_masooq

@ICC Historic day for South Africa This is the first time ever that their team is qualified for a T20 World Cup final be it men or women What a comeback....

09:43 PM · Feb 24, 2023

300

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

kudoswithnature@kudoswithnature

@ICC Congratulations South Africa What a come back I will support you ♥️also in Final Plz do your best and snatch a title from Australia

09:47 PM · Feb 24, 2023

170

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

ABhi Mr 360@ABDMrPerfect360

@ICC England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 choked like what happened in yesterday match.34 from 24 with 6 wickets . Choking continues . Congratulations South Africa 🇿🇦 for defending and cruising into first ever worldcup final

09:46 PM · Feb 24, 2023

10

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

NIKHIL🇮🇳@nikhil_nsu

@ICC Congratulations!So happy for SA winning and qualifying in their backyard. Tough luck ENG-W

09:43 PM · Feb 24, 2023

150

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

Vishal@Vishal61932181

@ICC Yesterday Australia and today South Africa proved why fielding is an important aspect in game Well played South Africa #T20WomensWorldCup #ENGWvSAW

09:46 PM · Feb 24, 2023

10

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

\/@®$|-|@🇮🇳@Varsha57392072

@ICC What a team performance @ProteasWomenCSA 👏.. Very well played👍 to beat a powerhouse team like England in the SF of #T20WomensWorldCup.. Go well in the Final vs #Australia 👍.. #ENGvSA #Semifinal #T20WorldCup2023

09:46 PM · Feb 24, 2023

10

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

Amrendra Kumar@amrendraa77

@ICC For the first time in history, SA have reached finals of WT20WC. Serious performance from Proteas in all departments.

09:43 PM · Feb 24, 2023

140

ICC@ICC

Phenomenal Proteas! 👏 👏 History in Cape Town as South Africa go through to the final of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 🙌 #ENGvSA | #TurnItUp

चंdan 🇮🇳@chandan00527581

@ICC What a game.. Very happy that SA proceeds through.. Especially arogant @nassercricket would feel like @ECB_cricket played like club cricket..

09:45 PM · Feb 24, 2023

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