Cricket World Cup: Australia beat South Africa for sixth win in a row
- Published
Lanning scores unbeaten 135 as Australia beat South Africa
Women's World Cup, Basin Reserve, Wellington |
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South Africa 271-5 (50 overs): Wolvaardt 90, Luus 52 |
Australia 272-5 (45.2 overs): Lanning 135* |
Australia won by five wickets |
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.
The captain's 15th one-day international century helped Australia chase 272 with 28 balls to spare.
Laura Wolvaardt's 90 and 52 from captain Sune Luus had taken South Africa to 271-5 in Wellington.
South Africa remain second in the table behind Australia despite their first defeat of the tournament.
South Africa take on West Indies on Wednesday knowing a win will clinch a spot in the semi-finals.
Australia, who have already qualified, can complete a clean sweep in the group stage with victory over Bangladesh on Thursday.
Watch: Watch: Two 'outstanding' catches as Australia take on South Africa
Asked to bat first, South Africa started strongly with opener Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee putting on 88.
Alana King trapped Lee lbw for 36, but, after Lara Goodall departed cheaply, Wolvaardt and Luus put on 91 before falling in successive overs.
Marizanne Kapp, with an unbeaten 30, and Chloe Tryon, who made 17 not out, pushed the innings on in the closing stages.
Australia lost Alyssa Healy early in their reply, caught behind off Shabnim Ismail, who finished with 2-33.
A stunning catch from Mignon du Preez at deep mid-wicket accounted for Rachael Haynes to leave Australia 45-2 and give South Africa hope of upsetting the tournament favourites.
There was no panic from Lanning, though, and partnerships of 60 and 93 with Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath respectively put the six-time champions firmly in the ascendancy.
Lanning reached her century from 92 balls and put the result beyond doubt long before Annabel Sutherland hit the winning run.
India win to boost semi-final hopes
India face South Africa in their final group match on Sunday
India eased to a comprehensive 110-run victory over Bangladesh in Hamilton to boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
After an opening stand of 74 between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, India lost three wickets in five balls before a patient 50 from Yastika Bhatia helped them recover to post 229-7 at Seddon Park.
Bangladesh were unable to generate any sort of momentum in their reply and slumped to 35-5 as India's spinners took hold.
They were eventually bowled out for 119, with Jhulan Goswami taking the final wicket and off-spinner Sneh Rana claiming a career-best 4-30.
The win lifted India up 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.
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