Posted July 19, 2017 08:48:16

Photo: England's Anya Shrubsole (L) celebrates victory with Jenny Gunn after beating South Africa. (Reuters: John Sibley)

England has reached the Women's Cricket World Cup final by beating South Africa with only two balls to spare in a thrilling semi-final.

Anya Shrubsole hit the decisive boundary to seal a two-wicket win for England, which required two runs from the last three balls in Bristol.

South Africa earlier won the toss and chose to bat.

It scored 6-218 off 50 overs after opener Laura Wolvaardt (66) and the unbeaten Mignon du Preez (76 not out) had given the underdogs hope of a shock victory.

But Sarah Taylor set England on its way with 54 before Jenny Gunn (27 not out) and Shrubsole dragged the hosts over the line to 8-221.

England will now face either Australia or India in the final at Lord's on Sunday.

AP

Topics: cricket, sport, england, south-africa