Imagine the heartbreak of waiting for the cricket moment of a lifetime, only to see it washed away by relentless rain – that's the drama unfolding in the ICC Women's World Cup final!
Join us for live updates on India's clash with South Africa in Navi Mumbai, where the toss is currently held up due to persistent showers. We'll bring you scores, highlights, radio commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, and more as we navigate potential delays. But here's where it gets controversial: with a reserve day looming, will this final truly be fair, or is the weather playing favorites in a tournament already marred by interruptions?
Live Reporting
Scorecard
Summary
- Toss postponed due to heavy rain
- Epic World Cup showdown in Navi Mumbai
- Tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary right at the top of this page
Live Reporting
by Sam Drury
- Laura Wolvaardt - South Africa (66%) posted at 10:20 GMT Image source, Getty Images
Kicking off our fantasy team of the tournament is South Africa's skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, who topped the vote at an impressive 66%. She's been the leading run-getter in this World Cup, delivering one of the most spectacular innings imaginable during the semi-final against England. It's fascinating – who could the other 34% possibly have favored over her?
- Posted at 10:18 GMT
Alright, let's dive right in without further ado.
Here's the Women's World Cup team of the tournament, handpicked by you, our dedicated BBC Sport readers...
- Posted at 10:16 GMT Phil Long BBC Test Match Special statistician on Radio 5 Sports Extra
We adhered to strict guidelines when assembling our ideal XI for this World Cup. We're aiming for a balanced squad: two opening batsmen, five middle-order players or all-rounders, and four bowlers.
- Bowlers posted at 10:12 GMT
Alana King (Australia): Played 7 innings, took 13 wickets, with an average of 17.38, economy of 4.03, conceding 59 runs.
Sophie Ecclestone (England): 7 innings, 16 wickets, average 14.25, economy 4.05.
Linsey Smith (England): 8 innings, 12 wickets, average 21.25, economy 4.13.
Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa): 8 innings, 12 wickets, average 20.66, economy 4.86.
Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand): 6 innings, 10 wickets, average 15.70, economy 4.61.
Fatima Sana (Pakistan): 5 innings, 10 wickets, average 21.30, economy 5.07.
Lauren Bell (England): 7 innings, 6 wickets, average 45.66, economy 5.26.
Charlie Dean (England): 8 innings, 8 wickets, average 34.50, economy 4.87, also scored 124 runs.
Sree Charani (India): 8 innings, 13 wickets, average 26.07, economy 4.91.
- Middle order/all-rounders posted at 10:08 GMT
Ash Gardner (Australia): 5 innings, 328 runs, average 82, strike-rate 130.15, 7 wickets, economy 5.30.
Annabel Sutherland (Australia): 6 innings, 117 runs, average 29.25, strike-rate 85.40, 17 wickets, economy 4.45.
Beth Mooney (Australia): 6 innings, 211 runs, average 35.16, strike-rate 89.40, 1 dismissal.
Sobhana Mostary (Bangladesh): 7 innings, 195 runs, average 39, strike-rate 75.
Heather Knight (England): 7 innings, 288 runs, average 48, strike-rate 85.71.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England): 6 innings, 262 runs, average 43.66, strike-rate 85.34, 9 wickets, economy 5.86.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India): 7 innings, 240 runs, average 34.28, strike-rate 91.25.
Richa Ghosh (India): 7 innings, 201 runs, average 40.20, strike-rate 132.23, 3 dismissals.
Jemimah Rodrigues (India): 6 innings, 268 runs, average 67, strike-rate 106.34.
Deepti Sharma (India): 6 innings, 157 runs, average 26.16, strike-rate 87.22, 17 wickets, economy 5.70.
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa): 7 innings, 204 runs, average 34, strike-rate 103.55, 12 wickets, economy 3.83.
Sophie Devine (New Zealand): 5 innings, 289 runs, average 57.80, strike-rate 85.25, 4 wickets, economy 5.85.
Brooke Halliday (New Zealand): 5 innings, 227 runs, average 45.40, strike-rate 81.94.
Izzy Gaze (New Zealand): 5 innings, 129 runs, average 32.25, strike-rate 112.17, 3 dismissals.
Nadine de Klerk (South Africa): 6 innings, 190 runs, average 63.33, strike-rate 136.69, 8 wickets, economy 5.17.
Nilakshika Silva (Sri Lanka): 5 innings, 168 runs, average 42, strike-rate 112.
Hasini Perera (Sri Lanka): 5 innings, 182 runs, average 36.40, strike-rate 73.68.
- Opening batters posted at 10:04 GMT
Alyssa Healy (Australia): 5 innings, 299 runs, average 74.75, strike-rate 125.10, 6 dismissals.
Phoebe Litchfield (Australia): 7 innings, 304 runs, average 50.66, strike-rate 112.17.
Smriti Mandhana (India): 8 innings, 389 runs, average 55.57, strike-rate 102.36.
Pratika Rawal (India): 6 innings, 308 runs, average 51.33, strike-rate 77.77.
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): 8 innings, 470 runs, average 67.14, strike-rate 97.91.
Amy Jones (England): 8 innings, 220 runs, average 36.66, strike-rate 83.96, 4 dismissals.
- Women's World Cup team of the tournament posted at 10:01 GMT Image source, Getty Images
With 30 matches in the books and just one left to go in the Women's World Cup, the anticipation is electric. But who deserves a spot in your ultimate team of the tournament? We've conducted three separate votes to select your preferred opening batsmen, middle-order players or all-rounders, and bowlers. We skipped a dedicated wicketkeeper poll since many players wear multiple hats in women's cricket, but we've incorporated the top-voted one into the final lineup. Before revealing the dream team, let's spotlight the contenders...
- Posted at 09:59 GMT
As tempting as it is to keep Jemimah Rodrigues' adorable dog front and center to brighten our day amid the ongoing downpour in Navi Mumbai, it's time to shift gears and unveil the Women's World Cup team of the tournament, curated by your votes...
- Posted at 09:50 GMT
Starting the day with some disappointing updates, but let's lift spirits with this heartwarming image of Jemimah Rodrigues' dog making waves at India's practice session yesterday...
Image source, Getty Images
- Posted at 09:45 GMT Prakash Wakankar BBC Test Match Special commentator on Radio 5 Sports Extra
There's a sizable dark cloud overhead, but luckily, it appears to be shifting away to our right, with clearer skies on that side. Fingers crossed, we might see sunshine in about an hour, paving the way for a full evening of action. This is purely my observation, of course. I hope we get uninterrupted cricket, giving both teams a genuine shot at etching their names into history.
- Posted at 09:42 GMT Ffion Wynne BBC Sport cricket writer in Navi Mumbai
The rain is pouring just as intensely as it has all day. The grounds crew is out of sight, likely taking cover.
- Posted at 09:35 GMT
From the TV footage of Ian Ward sheltering under an umbrella as the rain beats down, it's clear we're facing a significant postponement. Even if the showers cease immediately, the cleanup will be time-consuming...
- Posted at 09:31 GMT Alex Hartley Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
This weather encapsulates the entire event. We've been discussing rain delays throughout, with forecasts predicting showers all week, yet we've had dry spells. I held out hope that we'd avoid needing the backup day, but with this front approaching, the outlook is grim.
- Posted at 09:26 GMT Ffion Wynne BBC Sport cricket writer in Navi Mumbai
Greetings from a soggy Navi Mumbai – good morning or afternoon, depending on where you are!
It's been raining steadily since morning, and in the TMS booth, we've been poring over the rules. There are an extra two hours available today to guarantee at least 20 overs per team, plus a reserve day tomorrow if needed. That means play could kick off as late as around 21:08 local time. In a hypothetical scenario, if one team bats for 50 overs and the reply sees fewer than 20 overs, the match resumes from the same point the next day.
- Start delayed posted at 09:22 GMT
After all the hype and optimism, here's the unwelcome update: rain has hit Navi Mumbai this morning, causing the start to slip to 10:00 GMT, only for light drizzle to return and force the covers on. We're waiting to hear if it's severe enough for further hold-ups, or if it clears for a toss at 09:30 GMT. But with umbrellas popping up and heavy tarps in place, it's far from ideal. And this is the part most people miss – how these weather disruptions can alter team strategies and mental preparation, potentially giving an unfair edge to the better-prepared side.
- Posted at 09:19 GMT
Indeed, it's the big day for the World Cup final in Navi Mumbai, with hosts India facing South Africa. Few predicted this matchup – especially not mid-way through Thursday's semi-final – but it's shaping up to be an absolute thriller. Neither nation has claimed this title before, so no matter the result, a new chapter in cricket history is about to unfold...
- Posted at 09:15 GMT
After over a month, 30 games, countless nail-biting finishes (and a few rain-outs), everything boils down to this moment...
Image source, Getty Images
But wait – is selecting a 'team of the tournament' based on reader votes truly the best way to honor these players? Some argue it democratizes the process, while others say expert opinions should prevail. Does including a player like Jemimah Rodrigues' dog in our updates trivialize the seriousness of elite sports? And with rain potentially stealing the spotlight, do you think this final will live up to its hype? Share your thoughts in the comments – do you agree or disagree? We'd love to hear your controversial takes too!
