Marizanne Kapp’s hat-trick will have to wait for another day, but “the chance to play in a World Cup final seems a reasonable consolation prize.” Kapp’s five-for-20, which included two wickets in two balls, sealed South Africa’s 125-run semi-final win over England.
After a devastating double-wicket maiden to start, Kapp returned to the attack. She dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt, then had Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean caught behind in successive deliveries.
Sophie Ecclestone successfully defended the next ball, ending the hat-trick dream. However, the game was already won.
Kapp’s performance, which also made her the all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker, had ensured England’s chase of 320 was a lost cause.
The massive total was set up by Laura Wolvaardt’s 169. While a hat-trick would have been historic, Kapp’s “consolation prize” is a trip to Navi Mumbai for South Africa’s first-ever 50-over World Cup final.