has been a tag line England have adopted this World Cup but their semi-final against South Africa in Bristol will be a true test of their “go boldly” mantra. They have been unwavering in their desire to play
Mathieu Perreault Womens Jerseypositively, even after an opening defeat by India. In winning the group stages that belief has been reinforced. The last time England were in a semi-final was last year’s World Twenty20. Against an Australia side there for the taking they crumbled chasing 133. Heather Knight leads a side she believes are better equipped technically and mentally. Live England beat South Africa by 68 runs: Women's Cricket World Cup – live! Over-by-over report: South Africa need a mighty 374 to win this group match in Bristol. Join Tim de Lisle for the latest Read more “A few people, I guess, did things they wouldn’t do on a cricket field, in terms of shot selection,” she said, looking back on the events of Delhi. “But that’s international cricket.” A key change, she believes, has been honesty: to accept that feeling pressure in such situations is normal and should be embraced. “I think a lot of the things we’ve done in the last 18 months have been because of that World T20 semi-final and about being better prepared. I think the girls are in that place. We’ve got a better skill level as well. I think that keeps the pressure off: when you trust your game and trust the players. We’re definitely in a better place.” So, too, are South Africa – undoubtedly the most improved side in the women’s game. Mark Robinson, whose first series as England head coach was against South Africa, has had a good view of that progression. England face a renowned pace attack supplemented by two wicket-taking leg-spinners in the captain, Dane van Niekerk (the tournament’s leading bowler
http://www.officialwinnipegjets.com/Adidas-Michael-Hutchinson-Jersey with 15 wickets), and Suné Luus. He also highlighted their openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Woolvardt, who he singled out for special praise. In a tournament of star turns it is the youngsters with attitude who have added an extra sparkle. Wolvaardt, who is 18, along with the 16-year-old New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, have led that gang. “Laura’s been brilliant, hasn’t she?” said Robinson. “She made her debut against us [during an ODI series at the start of 2016] and looked a good player then.” It was in the second ODI of that series that Wolvaardt, then 16, scored her maiden half-century as South Africa chased down a target of 263. At the time England probably knew as much about Wolvaardt as Van Niekirk did. England’s women collapse as Australia secure World T20 final place Read more Cricket South Africa identified Wolvaardt as one to watch when she was 13: a player who stood tall and drove for fun. Prior to her international debut, she was invited to a training camp with the rest of the squad. When she walked into the nets, Van Niekirk had to do a double-take. “When you see a youngster walk in, you’re like, ‘Hmm, who is she? What is she bringing?’” Soon it became evident. This World Cup Wolvaardt has three half-centuries and an unbeaten 48, including an assured 67 against England in their group match. Van Niekerk adds: “She’s ridiculous, to be honest. She just popped up on the scene. We never saw her in domestic cricket. I’d never heard of her. When
Erick Aybar Youth Jersey she was batting [during that camp], I turned to Hilton Moreeng [South Africa’s head coach] and said: ‘What a find! Where was she?’” That last bit is crucial. Success for South Africa is wide-reaching and the benefits, Van Niekerk knows, are many. There are more Wolvaardts out there. “Yes we want to win the World Cup but our ultimate goal is to set up women’s cricket for South Africans and for the girls in the generations to come. We want our country’s girls to play cricket.” Inspiration from this first semi-final could come from the big hitting. Of the 97 sixes in this World Cup, England and South Africa lead the way with 20 each. In their group match at this venue, which England won by 68 runs, they scored 678 between them – a record aggregate in a women’s ODI. Knight expects a thriller along those lines and hopes the locals do, too. “I know it’s midweek but hopefully a few people will be taking sickies to come down and support usHe very nearly delivered a masterpiece, purring through the afternoon session, scoring at almost a run a ball while giving the impression that he was in watchful, responsible mode. In fact both De Kock and Amla paid Anderson and Broad their dues; they were blunted but upon their removal from the attack the run rate accelerated. Both these batsmen can propel the ball to the boundary with silky flicks that do not require a follow through. It is just that De Kock does this more often. Dawson’s first three overs leaked 19 runs and an Amla straight six, which just struck the boundary rope (why waste any energy?) and there were sweet drives against Wood and Ben Stokes. In the afternoon South Africa added 123 for one without a hint of violence. But in the
http://www.authenticsandiegopadres.com/Jered-Weaver-Jersey final session Broad imposed himself on proceedings though not quite so emphatically as in 2015 against Australia. His first delivery after the break found the outside edge of De Kock’s bat and Alastair Cook held the catch at slip after a little juggle. Then he dismissed Amla with an intentional bouncer; another hook went up in the air but this time it landed in the safe hands of Wood at long leg
