By Mark Ogagan
India’s women have lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time after beating South Africa by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai, India on Sunday.
Reaching the final for a third time, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side dominated the contest from the off at DY Patil Stadium, although South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt did her best to spoil the hosts’ party in the run chase.
Replying to India’s 298-7, Wolvaardt led from the off and totalled 101 off 98 when she was eventually caught in the deep off the bowling off Deepti Sharma, who finished with 5-39.
The support was not there for Wolvaardt, unlike that enjoyed throughout a team effort with the bat by India, as South Africa regularly lost wickets at the other end before being bowled out for 246 in the 46th over.
Wolvaardt’s heroic effort added to the century she scored in the semifinal win against England on Thursday. She is only the second player to achieve the feat of the back-to-back centuries at this stage of the competition after Alyssa Healy did so in Australia’s victorious run in the 2022 edition.
Neither team has lifted the trophy; indeed, this was South Africa’s first final.
India had come close twice before, reaching the final in 2005 and 2017, losing to Australia and England, respectively.
This was also the first women’s World Cup final that did not involve either Australia or England, the former being the record winners with seven victories to their name.
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