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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP):
South Africa locked in a semi-final place and West Indies kept their hopes alive at Women’s Cricket World Cup when they shared competition points on Thursday from a match abandoned because of rain.
The West Indies will regret the abandonment far more than South Africa who were 61-4 when the decision was made to call off the match at Wellington’s Basin Reserve shortly before 5 p.m.
Defending champions England also enhanced their semi-final prospects Thursday when they beat Pakistan by nine wickets to move into fourth place.
Katherine Brunt took a wicket with the first ball of the match and went on to take 3-17 as England bowled out Pakistan for 105 in 41.3 overs after winning the toss on a greenish pitch at Hagley Park, Christchurch.
Opener Danni Wyatt made an unbeaten 76 from 68 balls and England improved its net run-rate as it reached its winning target with almost 31 overs to spare.
Heavy overnight rain and showers during the morning delayed the start of play at Wellington’s Basin Reserve but a match of 26-overs per side finally began at 3:15 p.m. under brooding skies.
The West Indies won the toss, bowled and South Africa slipped to 22-4 before an unbeaten 39-run partnership between Mignon du Preez (38) and Marizanne Kapp (5).
The advantage was still with the West Indies when the rain returned and ground staff covered the pitch and surrounds. The umpires quickly decided that even if the rain stopped for the rest of the day, it would not be possible to complete the match.
The single point South Africa took from the match was enough to clinch their place in the semi-finals with nine from six games. They are also likely to avoid a semi-final clash with unbeaten Australia, the six-time champions.
“Everybody’s extremely excited and happy to be in the semis,” South Africa captain Sune Luus said. “It wasn’t the best of starts but we still have to take the positives out of today — the way Mignon batted was one. She has been shy of runs in the competition and she needed that for her confidence.”
The West Indies currently are in third place behind Australia and South Africa, having completed their seven matches in the group stage with seven points. Their semi-final hopes depend on the outcome of Sunday’s match between South Africa and fourth-place India.
West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor said her squad likely would “have some popcorn and hope that South Africa do beat India.”
“It’s something we can’t control but do hope it goes our way,” Taylor said. “If we go to the semis, you just have to go out and play … you have to step up. It comes down to how badly you want it.”
Medium pacer Chinelle Henry was in top form Thursday, dismissing Laura Wolvaardt in the second over of the innings to end the South Africa batter’s run of high scores. She also removed Luus and Tazmin Brits to return figures of 3-19.
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