King takes 7-18 as Australia thrash South Africa

Indore, ICC Women’s World Cup

South Africa 97 (24 overs): Wolvaardt 31 (26), King 7-18

Australia 98-3 (16.5 overs): Mooney 42 (41), Kapp 1-11

Seven wickets later, Australia won.

As Australia defeated South Africa by seven wickets to set up a semifinal match against India, Alana King brought the best figures in women’s World Cup history.

The leg-spinner’s 7-18 from 7 overs saw Australia finish their chase with 199 balls after South Africa fell from 32-0 to 97 all out at the end of their 30-over series to lose 7-4.

In a women’s ODI, King broke New Zealand’s record of 6-10 against India in 1982, becoming just the third woman and the third Australian to do so.

Australia, who have won all six of their group matches, will now face fourth-placed India in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October, with the victory in Indore putting them in the top spot in the table.

One of only three South African batsmen to score in double figures, Laura Wolvaardt, who struck seven boundaries in the opening six overs to give her side the perfect start before being taken for 31 by Megan Schutt, with King taking the catch at midwicket.

After Kim Garth’s final over of the powerplay, King struck twice in five balls to send South Africa’s score from 42-1 to 43-4.

As South Africa were bowled out for under 100 for the second time in the tournament after being skittled for 69 by semi-final rival England in their opener, Ash Gardner bowled Masabata Klaas.

South Africa has previously experienced spin-based destruction. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith claimed figures of 3-7 in their 10-wicket demolition of England, with Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean each taking two wickets each.

Their collapse was caused by a King inspired performance on Saturday, which exposed weaknesses in bats in spin, first batting, and top-order errors.

Australia, in contrast, enters the semi-finals unbeaten and strengthened by the addition of yet another player who delivered a match-defining performance.

Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp, who had rushed her to two wickets, attempted needlessly aggressive shots and dropped simple catches to fielders, but the rest of her spell was largely unlucky.

She took four wickets in a row and took 33 wickets in total from 42 deliveries.

Annerie Dercksen was undone by a flighted delivery in four of her seven wickets, and Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, and Nadine de Klerk all fell victim to the grip and turn she got off the ground.

The majority of her deliveries, including six of her seven wicket-taking balls, were either good or back of a length, relentless in her approach.

During Australia’s campaign, King had largely underseen the light. Her six wickets, which included economic but unremarkable in the middle overs, were overshadowed by Gardner and Annabel Sutherland’s all-round contributions.

But on Saturday, she repeatedly reminded everyone of the threat she poses in the middle overs, contributing to South Africa’s collapse, going from 42-2 to 97-all.