South Africa's Wolvaardt calls for calm in World Cup semis / Photo: Ishara S. KODIKARA - AFP/File
-
North Korea announces missile test hours before Trump due in South
-
'Arrested for singing': Russia's case against teen busker stirs anger
-
Hurricane Melissa takes aim at Cuba after roaring across Jamaica
-
Israel launches air strikes on Gaza, says Hamas attacked troops
-
Injured Springer out of World Series game four
-
'No-feeling' Alcaraz eliminated from Paris Masters
-
Favorite Sovereignty could miss Breeders' Cup Classic after fever
-
Putellas-inspired Spain to defend Nations League title against Germany
-
Microsoft holds 27% of OpenAI in revamped partnership
-
Bronze nets birthday goal as England's women beat Australia
-
'Catastrophic' hurricane slams Jamaica with fierce winds and rain
-
Cameroon blames post-vote deaths on opposition leader
-
Cubans flee the coast as Hurricane Melissa looms
-
Trump heads to South Korea with all eyes on Xi meeting
-
At least 64 killed in war-like Rio drug raids
-
Alcaraz stunned in Paris Masters opener by Britain's Norrie
-
Dortmund knock Frankfurt out of German Cup on penalties
-
Napoli three points clear at Serie A summit after win at Lecce
-
Putellas scores again to lead Spain into UEFA women's Nations League final
-
Uber partners with Nvidia to deploy 100,000 robotaxis
-
New danger for hurricane-hit Jamaica: wandering crocodiles
-
Trump's granddaughter set to play in LPGA event
-
Depleted South Africa thump sloppy Pakistan in first T20I
-
Apple ordered to pay French operators 39 mn euros over iPhone sales
-
At least 64 killed in Rio drug raid
-
Fears of mass atrocities after Sudan's El-Fasher falls to paramilitaries
-
US revokes visa for Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka
-
England rugby coach Borthwick considering moving Earl to centre
-
French prosecutors seek suspended jail terms in Brigitte Macron cyberbullying case
-
Why are stock markets hitting record highs?
-
O'Neill aims to enjoy unexpected Celtic return
-
At least 18 suspects killed in Rio anti-drug raid: governor
-
Wales captain Morgan proclaims love for Ospreys amid club turmoil
-
Monster Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica
-
US kills 14 in strikes on alleged Pacific drug boats
-
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says US visa revoked
-
Saliba and Martinelli add to Arsenal's injury issues
-
Swiss town hands three artefacts back to South Africa
-
Climate change won't end civilization, says Bill Gates
-
Prop forward Porthen to make South Africa debut against Japan
-
South Africa's Wolvaardt calls for calm in World Cup semis
-
Sinner says 'impossible' to finish year as world number one
-
PSG post record turnover for Champions League-winning campaign
-
Berlin says Rosneft subsidiaries not impacted by US sanctions
-
Historically strong Hurricane Melissa nears landfall in Jamaica
-
Musk launches Grokipedia to rival 'left-biased' Wikipedia
-
Cyberbullying has affected Brigitte Macron's health, says daughter
-
Ford edges out Fin Smith for England fly-half role against Australia
-
Medvedev eases past Munar into second round of Paris Masters
-
Wall Street record rally rolls on
NYSE - LSE
South Africa's Wolvaardt calls for calm in World Cup semis
South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt on Tuesday said the "calmest team" will emerge on top in their semi-final clash with England at the Women's World Cup.
The Proteas won five of seven matches in the league phase to take third spot below England in the standings, and the two face each other again in Guwahati on Wednesday.
"I think for me tomorrow it will be just about keeping everyone as calm as possible," Wolvaardt told reporters on the eve of the first semi-final.
"I think the calmest team out there will most likely win. I think 50 overs is a very long time and it is very easy to let the pressure of a semi-final get to you."
South Africa are chasing their first World Cup title, having fallen short in the latter stages of previous tournaments.
They were beaten by England in the semi-finals of the last two ODI World Cups in 2017 and 2022, and although they reached the final of the last two T20 World Cups (2023 and 2024), the trophy still eludes them.
"That semi-final loss against England was four years ago so I think we were a totally different looking side, they have got a lot of different players as well," Wolvaardt said of their defeat in 2022.
"It's sort of a fresh opportunity and it starts from zero, so I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I am able to learn from those (T20) semi-final victories that we have got and stay calmer under pressure."
Led by Nat Sciver-Brunt, England's only defeat so far at this edition of the tournament was to Ashes rivals Australia.
They are favourites against a South Africa team that was bundled out for 97 by Australia in their last game. That heavy defeat ended a run of five straight wins for South Africa, who suffered a 10-wicket thrashing by England in their tournament opener.
"I am proud of this group, the way they have stuck together," England coach Charlotte Edwards said. "We have sort of five weeks away now and our best cricket is yet to come and that's a really exciting place for us as a group."
Defending champions Australia will face hosts India in the second semi-final on Thursday in the outskirts of Mumbai. The final is on Sunday.
L.Mason--AMWN