Skipper Meg Lanning produced another masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 135 as six-time champions Australia continued their invincible run with a five-wicket thrashing of South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Tuesday.
Lanning scored her 15th ODI century with 15 hits to the fence and one maximum during her 130-ball unconquered innings to help Australia successfully chase down South Africa’s total of 271 for 5 with 28 balls to spare.
Invited to bat, opener Laura Wolvaardt cracked a 134-ball 90, while skipper Sune Luus (52) notched another half-century as South Africa posted a decent total. However, it proved inadequate in the end as Lanning took control of chase.
Race to semis: Three berths, four teams
With Australia already qualified, four teams—India, South Africa, England and West Indies—are in contention for the remaining three semis spots. Here’s a look at how they are placed:
. India: The big win against Bangladesh has propelled India’s net run-rate (0.768) and is the best among all teams in contention. A win against South Africa, who have lost just one match, will help India seal the semis berth. South Africa beating West Indies on Thursday can also benefit India in making it to the top four, thanks to better NRR. However, if SA lose to WI and manage to beat India, then Mithali Raj & Co will be in a spot of bother as England, SA and WI could end up with more points than India.
. South Africa: The Proteas have more or less qualified after West Indies beat Pakistan. The only possibility where South Africa can be knocked out is if they lose by huge margins to West Indies and India.
. West Indies: Their qualifying fate depends on beating South Africa, who then defeat India. WI’s poor NRR (-0.885) will make it difficult for them to qualify with just six points.
. England: Wins in their next two games [against Bangladesh and Pakistan] should seal their semis spot. Considering one of the two teams pull off a stunning win against England, the defending champions could still make the cut on the basis of better NRR (0.327). In that case, England will hope SA beat WI.
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