SOUTH AFRICA captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and chose to field first against India in the Women’s World Cup final, which began after a rain delay in Mumbai on Sunday. Both teams are aiming for their maiden title.
Thousands of fans in Indian jerseys filled the stands at the DY Patil Stadium, which has a capacity of 45,000, as the start was pushed back on a wet afternoon. The toss was delayed by two hours, but no overs were lost in the 50-over match.
South Africa, playing their first ever Women’s ODI World Cup final, are fielding the same team that beat four-time champions England in the semi-final.
“Bit of rain around and there might be dew later on, hoping for a bit of slippiness early on with all the rain around,” said Wolvaardt, who scored 169 in the semi-final.
India, who have been runners-up in 2005 and 2017, reached their third final by defeating seven-time champions Australia in a close contest. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said she would also have chosen to bowl first had she won the toss.
The hosts are unchanged from the side that chased a record 339 against Australia. “We will try to bat well and put up a decent score,” said Kaur. “I don’t think there will be much on the pitch after five, six overs.”
Teams:
India women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh.
South Africa women: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Umpires: Eloise Sheridan (AUS), Jacqueline Williams (WIS)
TV Umpire: Sue Redfern (ENG)
Match Referee: Michell Pereira (SRI)
