The milestone came in England’s semi-final clash against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on 29 October 2025, when Ecclestone produced a resilient spell of 10-1-44-4 despite battling a shoulder injury. However, her brilliance could not prevent England’s exit from the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, with South Africa scripting history by sealing their maiden final appearance after a commanding 125-run victory.

Since debuting in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on 5 March 2022 against Australia at Hamilton, Ecclestone has evolved into the axis around which England’s bowling unit revolves. Across two editions, she has taken 37 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 15.02 and an economy rate of 3.92, including two four-wicket hauls and a six-wicket haul, her career-best 6 for 36 against South Africa in the 2022 semi-final at Christchurch.

The campaign in the 13th edition of the tournament, once again, reaffirmed her standing as a world-class match-winner. Leading the wicket charts overall, Ecclestone claimed 16 wickets in seven innings at 14.25 apiece and maintained an economy of 4.05, including twin four-wicket hauls, cementing her reputation as a consistent performer on the biggest stage.

Her ability to control the middle overs with flight, dip, and subtle variation made her England’s most potent threat through the tournament. She also displayed grit with the bat lower down the order, often adding crucial runs in testing match situations. Despite nursing a shoulder injury sustained in the final league game against New Zealand, Ecclestone stepped up in the semi-final, delivering a performance fitting of her stature in world cricket.

Led by Nat Sciver-Brunt, England’s campaign in the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, hosted by India and partly in Sri Lanka from 30 September to 2 November, was a blend of dominance and grit before culminating in heartbreak. They began emphatically, hammering South Africa by 10 wickets on 3 October and Bangladesh by four wickets on 7 October in Guwahati, before cruising past Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Colombo on 11 October. 
 

Their first blip came against Australia, who beat them by six wickets on 22 October in Indore. However, England quickly regained momentum in their final league clash, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in Visakhapatnam on 26 October. The result secured them second place in the league standings, finishing with 13 points from seven games. Throughout the campaign, Ecclestone remained the central figure in England’s success, spearheading a bowling unit that consistently created breakthroughs in pivotal moments.

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati witnessed a contest rich in emotion and history, with South Africa and England facing off once again in a World Cup semi-final, a fixture that had previously seen the Proteas crumble in 2017 and 2022. This time, however, Laura Wolvaardt’s side rewrote history.

After being sent into bat, South Africa’s openers Tazmin Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt provided a commanding start with a 116-run stand. It took the introduction of England’s talismanic left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone to peg them back. Her successive strikes removed Brits and Anneke Bosch, sparking a mini collapse that reduced the Proteas from 116 for no loss to 119 for three.

Ecclestone returned later to dismiss Marizanne Kapp, breaking another dangerous stand, and ended with exceptional figures of 10-1-44-4, her effort embodying England’s fight on an otherwise bleak afternoon. However, Wolvaardt’s masterful 169 off 143 balls and vital support from Chloe Tryon propelled South Africa to a record 319 for 7, the highest ever semi-final total in Women’s World Cup history.
In response, England’s chase unravelled immediately. Marizanne Kapp delivered a dream spell, dismantling England’s top order to leave them reeling at 1–3. Despite a spirited 107-run stand between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey, the resistance was fleeting. Kapp’s return spell removed Sciver-Brunt, triggering a collapse that saw England bundled out for 194. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith offered brief defiance, but their efforts were in vain. Kapp’s 5 for 20 set up South Africa’s moment of destiny, sealing a 125-run victory and a historic finals berth.

Even as England bowed out, Ecclestone’s consistency and resilience once again underlined her value to the side and world cricket at large. Since her ODI debut on 8 October 2016 against the West Indies at Florence Hall, she has amassed 141 wickets in 82 matches at an average of 19.16 and an economy of 3.71, including seven five-wicket and four-wicket hauls combined.

Her six for 36 remains one of the great semi-final spells in World Cup history, and now, as England’s joint-highest wicket-taker across editions, she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Carole Hodges, a fitting tribute to her dominance, dedication, and quiet leadership.

Sophie Ecclestone’s World Cup journey, marked by precision and perseverance, might have concluded in heartbreak this time, but her legacy as England’s spin spearhead continues to shape the modern era of women’s cricket.