Alana King takes a record 7-18
The win ended South Africa’s five-match winning streak, while reigning champions Australia finished top of the league table with six wins (and no results) in seven matches.
The seven-time champions will face hosts India in the second semi-final in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
South Africa currently sit second with five wins from seven matches. The Proteas can still finish third if England (currently third) beat New Zealand in Visakhapatnam in their final league match on Sunday.
India also plays Bangladesh on Sunday; The double-header brings curtain to the league phase of this tournament.
King stops South Africa’s winning streak
Put to bat with a batsman-friendly wicket, South Africa actually got off to a good start. Wolvaardt made 32 off opener Tazmin Brits before the slump began.
Australian players celebrate their victory.Credit: access point
While Megan Schutt made the breakthrough that would send the captain back, Kim Garth beat the English by 6 points.
King then began bowling the Proteas out for 42-2, and they collapsed to 60-6 in the next six overs, picking up four wickets without conceding runs.
She started with an attack in the 12th over – Sune Luus was caught on 6, while Marizanne Kapp was dismissed for a four-ball duck.
King then took a couple more wickets in the 16th over, this time off consecutive balls – Annerie Dercksen was bowled, then Chloe Tryon was caught for a golden duck.
After being denied a hat-trick, King defeated Sinalo Jafta in the 18th round. Jafta scored 29 goals from 17 balls.
King then became the first Australian woman to pick six wickets in a Cricket World Cup – defeating Masabata Klaas in the 20th over.
Nadine de Klerk scored 14 before striking out King to end the Proteas’ innings. King surpassed current teammate Ellyse Perry’s 7-22 (against England in 2019) to record Australia’s best bowling figures in women’s ODIs.
Chasing just 98, Australia made light work of it despite losing Phoebe Litchfield (5) and Perry (0) cheaply.
Voll and Mooney scored 76 off 65 balls as Australia’s unbeaten run in the tournament (from 2022) extended to 16 matches.
This was South Africa’s ninth consecutive defeat against Australia in the tournament’s history, and they are yet to win a match against the seven-time champions.
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