India win Women World Cup as Wolvaardt proves to be lone warrior

MUMBAI: India beat South Africa by 52 runs to win their first Women’s World Cup title in Mumbai on Sunday as Laura Wolvaardt scored another hundred but this time for a losing cause with other batters unable to assist their captain.

Hosts India posted 298-7 and then bowled out South Africa for 246, with spinner Deepti Sharma taking five wickets in the final in front of a sell-out crowd at the DY Patil Stadium.

Put into bat, the hosts rode half-centuries from Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58) to post an impressive total even though 350 looked well within their reach at one stage.

Wolvaardt led South Africa’s reply with a captain’s knock of 101 but they were all out for 246 in 45.3 overs.

Sharma claimed 5-39 in a fine all-round display on a memorable night for the hosts.

Read more: WWC 25: India and South Africa set for historic showdown

Wolvaardt continued fighting for her side just like the semi-final against England where she had scored 169 out of 319 — the total South Africa had accumulated against the rivals while batting first. In that innings, she went back to the pavilion in the 48th over while setting the target.

And Sunday, Wolvaardt again rain of partners as the second highest score 35 in the chase came from Annerie Dercksen during the sixth wicket stand. She was caught in the deep on leg side in 42nd over.