Summary

  • Use the audio icon above to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary

  • Australia win by six wickets to book semi-final spot

  • They will top Group 1 and play second place from Group 2 in last four

  • All-rounder Tahlia McGrath hits 57 off 33 balls to see Australia to victory

  • South Africa must beat Bangladesh in final game and hope Sri Lanka lose to New Zealand to qualify

  • Australia opener Alyssa Healy rested due to soreness in her left quad

  1. Follow the Test...published at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Plenty of cricket for you to come in the next 24 hours.

    You can follow day three of the first Test between England and New Zealand men at Mount Maunganui from 00:30 (GMT) on the BBC Sport website.

    We will have coverage of Sunday's matches - Pakistan vs West Indies and New Zealand v Sri Lanka - in the Women's T20 World Cup from 12:45 as well as radio commentary on 5 Sports Extra.

  2. What happened today...published at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Relatively straightforward victories for England and Australia, as the two teams remain on course to meet in the final.

    In case you missed it, England beat India by 11 runs in the first match, external. Nat Sciver's half-century helped England post 151-7 despite seamer Renuka Thakur's magnificent 5-15.

    India had looked to be in with a shout before Sarah Glenn removed the dangerous Smriti Mandhana for 52. An expensive last over from Katherine Sciver-Brunt caused a few flutters but England got the job done.

    In the second game South Africa had started well but a familiar collapse, including the wicket of the dangerous Marizanne Kapp for a duck, saw them post a modest 124-6.

    Australia lost some big wickets as Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry all departed. But Talhia McGrath's half-century ensured there was no chance of an upset in a six-wicket victory for the defending champions.

  3. 'Excited to be in the semis'published at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    More from Australia captain Meg Lanning: "When we bowled we understood what we needed to do by tightening lengths and bowling at the stumps.

    "We had to stay clam and focused on what we were trying to do despite the home support for South Africa. It did feel like they were going well, but we just knew we could get a couple of wickets and get it back under control.

    "We will have a day off and refresh. We are excited to be in a semi-final. It's always great to be in a semi-final."

  4. 'McGrath was excellent'published at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Australia captain Meg Lanning: "I thought Talhia McGrath was excellent. Ash Gardner as well. They both summed up the conditions really well.

    "South Africa have some world-class bowlers and put us under pressure but we responded well."

  5. 'We just didn't have enough runs'published at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    South Africa's captain Sune Luus: "I think the way Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt started the game was good but we lost wickets consecutively and that put us on the back foot.

    "I think Australia have a very deep batting order. Unfortunately, we just didn't have enough runs on the board today.

    "I don't think it was because of a lack of trying. Cricket stays the same whether you play India or Australia, they were just very good with the bat.

    "It was emotional today, I had tears in my eyes with the national anthem. It's amazing to see the crowd coming out and I hope it continues whether we are in the World Cup or not.

    "We still have one game and are going to give it our all. It's not ideal to rely on other teams and run-rate but we will give it our all."

  6. 'We go into the semi-finals full of confidence'published at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Australia's Tahlia McGrath: "I've been a bit light for time in the middle and got a few early and then went from there.

    "It was skidding on nicely. I was nervous but once I got out there and got started it was a great wicket to bat on .

    "The atmosphere was incredible, I love playing in front of crowds like this.

    "The bowlers did a great job, early wickets isn't ideal but the way me and Ash [Ashleigh Gardner] consolidated was great. I have loved watching the top order do their thing and we go into the semi-finals full of confidence."

  7. Postpublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Henry Moeran
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    South Africa were brilliantly supported here. They've had moments but are looking like a team that are missing their best player.

  8. Postpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    They do it time and time again. They take the drama away from games and always look so in control. They are just so calm and have the freedom to be able to go out there and express themselves. The fact that Grace Harris has come in at six and crunched that pull shot, it's scary how good this team are. I still think England can beat them though.

  9. Postpublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Henry Moeran
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Australia are an unstoppable train!

  10. champagne moment

    Australia win by six wicketspublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    No messing around as Grace Harris strikes her first ball for four.

    Australia win with 21 balls to spare.

  11. Postpublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Tahlia McGrath wanted to get the job done. I think she'll be annoyed with herself and she should've finished that off really.

  12. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 16.2 overs

    McGrath c Wolvaardt b Klaas 57 (Aus 121-4)

    Tahlia McGrath wanted to finish it in style but slices Masabata Klaas to backward point where Laura Wolvaardt holds on.

    An ugly end to a cracking knock.

  13. Postpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    Tahlia McGrath will want to get this done with one shot I think.

  14. Aus 119-3published at 16.0 overs

    Six runs from 24 balls is the scenario. Even after a bit of wobble this has been a cakewalk for this Australia side.

  15. Postpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    We know Australia are the world's best, they have been dominant for so many years. South Africa could've taken the game deeper by bowling Nonkululeko Mlaba earlier.

  16. 50 runs

    Fifty for McGrathpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Tahlia McGrath's strokeplay has been a cut above tonight. She brings up a half-century off 29 balls.

    Three consecutive fours from her off Nonkululeko Mlaba and Australia are nearly home and hosed.

  17. Postpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    South Africa now might as well bowl Nonkululeko Mlaba and Shabnim Ismail because the only way they are going to win this game is with wickets.

  18. Postpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    Australia are going to win this game, it's a matter of when not if.

  19. Aus 105-3published at 15.0 overs

    This partnership is now worth 65 as Marizanne Kapp is called upon in attempt to break it.

    It's looking very easy for Tahlia McGrath, however, as she drives the veteran South Africa all-rounder down the ground for four.

    Australia need 20 from 30 balls.

  20. Postpublished at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 February 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Australia are cruising to victory here.