Women’s World Cup: Australia thrashes South Africa for sixth consecutive win
Meg Lanning scored a magnificent unbeaten 135 as Australia beat South Africa by five wickets to make it six straight wins at the Women's World Cup.
Australia’s women beat South Africa at Basin Reserve, Wellington by five wickets as the captain's 15th one-day international century helped Australia chase 272 with 28 balls to spare.
South Africa now remains at second on the points table behind Australia, despite this being their first defeat of the tournament.
A win over Bangladesh lifted India to third in the table, above West Indies on net run-rate and two points ahead of England in fifth, although they have played one game more than Heather Knight's side.
South Africa had no match for Lanning as she steered Australia to a dominant victory which ensured they will finish no lower than second.
Having been put in to bat, Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee reached 88 runs for South Africa’s highest opening partnership of the tournament before Lee fell LBW to Alana King for 36 from 44 balls.
Proteas vice-captain Chloe Tryon said, “We were really happy with how we batted against them. I love the intent the girls had which was fantastic to see. I still felt we could have done better in the field; backed up the bowlers in the field as well.”
Losing their two set batters saw South Africa slip to 216 for four and Mignon du Preez was given another chance to get some runs in the tournament, having made just 27 across the Proteas’ previous four matches.
“I think it would have been a really different story if we’d kept to the stumps and kind of put a lot of pressure on them.”
“I don’t think the gap is too big. We’ve worked really hard and we’ll just have to bounce back from today.”
Australia began their chase of 272 similarly positively, taking 14 off the first two overs.
Lanning was there at the end on 135 not out from 130 balls and Sutherland hit the winning runs to earn Australia’s sixth win in as many games.
South Africa will be looking to defeat the West Indies Women to clinch a spot in the semi-finals.
“We’ve got two important games coming up against West Indies and India, which is very important for us to make sure that we qualify and we get good momentum going into the finals and semi-finals.”
Australia, who have already qualified, can complete a clean sweep in the group stage with a victory over Bangladesh on Thursday. (BBC Sport)
