WOMEN'S WORLD CUP, 2017

South Africa's successful campaign will benefit the overall health of cricket

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South Africa punched above their weight throughout the tournament before losing to hosts England in the semifinal
South Africa punched above their weight throughout the tournament before losing to hosts England in the semifinal © Getty

"Once they get to the final, they can give us some information on how to do it" - Faf du Plessis.

This was the South Africa Test captain acknowledging the efforts of their female counterparts in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017. While this comes across as a comment said in good jest, it'll be naive to miss how du Plessis in a very subtle way appreciated how temperamentally strong the South Africa women outfit is. There was never the mention of the 'C' word even before or after the semifinal loss against England.

There was no collapse and they gave it all, but on the day England did most things right to seal a spot in the final. It's a pity that the South African campaign had to come to an end. Who doesn't love a team proving the pre-tournament predictions wrong and knocking the tournament favourites out. Like Pakistan did to England in the ICC Champions Trophy. Or what Bangladesh did to New Zealand. But while South Africa's campaign lasted, it continuously delivered on several fronts.

Right from their opening win against Pakistan, where they were stretched to the edges before they emerged victorious, to the clinical performance where they toppled India, one could not help but see the quality they possess. The variations in their bowling department and the fire power in the batting line-up held them in good stead throughout the event.

Through the tournament they punched above their weight, at times surprising their opponents, and refused to present things on the platter and get rolled over. Even in the semifinal clash, they kept pressing England till the end and though they lost the contest, they walked out with their heads held high.

South Africa have an able leader in Dane van Niekerk and her performances with the ball justified why she's rated so highly in their setup. With 15 wickets, including a four-wicket haul without conceding a single run, at an economy of 3.46 ensured they kept chipping away in the crucial middle overs to put pressure on the opposition. Marizanne Kapp, the No. 1 ranked bowler in ODIs, Shabnim Ismail and Sune Luus played the perfect second fiddle to their captain and it reflected when they sealed a semifinal spot even before big sides like India could.

The fact that bowlers win you games is well documented. And one look at the overall performance of the bowlers should tell why South Africa clicked in the tournament. Ismail and Kapp were intimidating up front, van Niekerk bemused batters with her variations while Luss and Ayabonga Khaka played their roles to perfection.

Laura Wolvaardt is just 18 and Lizelle Lee is 25. The duo strung a formidable partnership at the top and gave a glimpse of the bright future they have as openers. While Wolvaardt ended as the top run-getter in the tournament for her side, Lee ended with a strike rate of over 100. Mignon du Preez formed the pillar around which their campaign revolved.

After their semifinal loss, there were consolatory hugs and tears. The passion was visible in the hurt of getting knocked out. "South Africa have not been disgraced here in Bristol, they've made this a brilliant spectacle," remarked Ian Bishop on air as the match came to an end.

One can quantify the runs they scored, the wickets they took, the wins and losses they registered but what one can't quantify is the effect their successful campaign will have on the health of cricket back home. They leave the tournament as role models, inspiring a lot of young girls to take up the sport. And that would be a 'trophy' they would be incredibly proud of.

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