Alana King Claims 7-18 as Australia Demolish South Africa

Women's World Cup, India

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

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

Australia won by seven wickets

Alana King recorded historic figures of 7-18 as the defending champions demolished their opponents by 7 wickets, setting up a semi-final match against the host nation.

The wrist-spinner took 7-18 from seven bowling spells as the Proteas fell apart from 32 without loss to 97 all out in 24 overs, with Australia finishing their chase with 199 deliveries to spare.

Alana King became part of an elite club as the 6th female player and third from Australia to take 7 wickets in a women's ODI, while establishing a fresh World Cup benchmark that surpassed NZ cricketer Lord's previous record of 6-10 against India from 1982.

South Africa will compete against England's women, who might leapfrog them to second place if they defeat New Zealand on Sunday, in the initial semi-final scheduled for Guwahati on Wednesday the 29th of October.

Opening player Wolvaardt was notable as one of just three South African batters to make 10-plus runs, crashing 7 fours during the opening six overs to deliver her side a strong start, but she was dismissed for 31 runs by Megan Schutt, with King completing the catch at the mid-wicket position.

{Kim Garth then dismissed Tazmin Brits leg before wicket in the last over of the fielding restrictions before Alana King struck twice in five deliveries as South Africa fell from 42 for one to 43-4|Following that, Kim Garth got Tazmin Brits lbw in the powerplay's end, and then the leg-spinner struck two wickets in just five balls, causing the opposition to slump from 42-1 to 43/4.

{King claimed five of the remaining six wickets to fall- with Gardner bowled Masabata Klaas- as the Proteas were bowled out for under 100 for the second time in the tournament, having earlier been skittled for sixty-nine by semi-final opponents England in their first match|Alana King took 5 out of the remaining six scalps that fell- including Ash Gardner dismissing Klaas- as South Africa was dismissed for under 100 for the second time in this tournament, after being bowled out for 69 by semi-final opponents England in the tournament opener.

{The defending champions stumbled briefly in their pursuit, falling to 11-2 inside the first six overs, before Beth Mooney (42) and Voll's unbeaten 38 combined to lead them to a routine victory|Although the defending champions had a shaky start during the chase, dropping to 11-2 in the initial six overs, Beth Mooney (42 runs) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) teamed up to usher them to a smooth triumph.