Women’s World Cup 2022: Here’s how the points table stands at the end of league stage

The final day of the league stage witnessed England and West Indies booking their semi-finals berth in the 2022 World Cup. In the first game, England defeated Bangladesh by a whopping 100 runs to seal third place in the points table, and make their way into the semis. In the second game, South Africa defeated India in a nail-biting thriller to bring up the second-highest successful chase in the the history of Women’s World Cup.

In the first game, Sophia Dunkley led her team to post a defendable total against Bangladesh as she scored 67 runs off 72 deliveries, becoming the top scorer of the game. Sophie Ecclestone played a great role with the ball as she picked up three wickets, giving away just 15 runs in the 10 overs that she bowled, which also accounted for four maiden overs.

Bangladesh restricted England to 234/6 in 50 overs but was not successful in chasing down the target. Their openers started off well and held their wickets, but were very slow in doing so. England got their first breakthrough late in the 18^th over but did not let the opposition chase. Bangladesh ended up losing all their wickets by the time they reached the 48^th over and scored only 134 runs. The defending champions made a power-pack comeback in the tournament and booked their place in the top three.

India lost by the barest of margins, England sealed the semi-finals berth.

In the second game, India won the toss and elected to bat first in what was a must-win game for them. India had to win this game against South Africa to take their place in the semi-finals as the opponents were well-placed at the No. 2 spot. Indian batters put up a wonderful performance as they were able to score 274 runs in 50 overs at the loss of seven wickets.

Half-centuries from openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, followed by another half-century by the skipper Mithali Raj gave India a good score to defend. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed equally well with the bat but fell short of just two runs to get her half-century. Proteas had to chase 275, and India had to stop them from doing so in order to win the game and move past West Indies in the points table.

India got an early breakthrough in the second innings as Kaur’s direct hit to the stumps helped in dismissing SA opener Lizelle Lee in the fifth over. Half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall anchored the South African innings as the two put up a strong partnership.

Kaur, who took over the bowling department for the first time in the tournament, managed to dismiss the well-settled Wolvaardt on 80, and later dismissed the Proteas skipper Sune Luus. The match became more and more unpredictable as both the teams gave their best performance to win the game. When the game looked like it was slipping away from India’s hands, some pretty fantastic run-outs and wickets towards the end ensured that India remained in the game.

Mignon Du Preez held the game tight for her side and brought up a much-needed half-century. In the last over, SA required seven runs to win the game and India had to restrict them in this do-or-die game. In the last over, India picked up du Preez’s wicket, but it was declared as a no-ball, leaving SA to score two off two with a free-hit in place.

Du Preez faced the last ball of the game, requiring one from one ball. India were eliminated from the race on the last ball of their final game as South Africa won the game. West Indies thereby qualified for the semi-finals. The Windies player were seen celebrating their qualification at their hotel room.

ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 – Points Table