King Claims 7-18 as Aussies Thrash South Africa

Women's World Cup, Indore

South Africa 97 (24 overs): Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 31; King 7-18

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

Australia won by seven wickets

Alana King achieved record-breaking figures of 7-18 as the defending champions overwhelmed South Africa by 7 wickets, paving the way for a final four encounter against India.

The leg-spinner claimed 7-18 from 7 bowling spells as South Africa collapsed from 32-0 to 97 all out in 24 bowling overs, with Australia finishing their chase with 199 balls remaining.

King became just the sixth female cricketer and 3rd Australian to claim 7 wickets in a women's ODI and the first to do it at a Women's World Cup, surpassing Kiwi player Jackie Lord's record of 6-10 against the Indian team in the year 1982.

This triumph in the venue solidifies the Aussies' standing at the top of the table, having won all six group stage matches, and sets up a knockout clash against fourth-placed Team India in the city on Thursday, 30 October.

South Africa will face the English team, who could overtake them into second place with victory over the Kiwis on the weekend, in the opening knockout in the city on October 29.

Opener Wolvaardt stood out as one of only three South Africa batters to make 10-plus runs, striking seven boundaries during the opening six overs to provide her side a strong start, but she was bowled out for 31 runs by Schutt, with King taking the catch at mid-wicket.

{Kim Garth then dismissed Tazmin Brits leg before wicket in the last over of the powerplay before King took wickets twice in five balls as South Africa collapsed from 42-1 to 43 for four|Following that, Kim Garth got Brits leg before in the concluding over of powerplay, and then King claimed twice in just five balls, causing the opposition to slump from 42/1 to 43/4.

{King claimed five of the last six wickets to fall- with Ash Gardner bowled Masabata Klaas- as the Proteas were dismissed for less than 100 for the second instance in the tournament, having earlier been bowled out for 69 by semi-final opponents England in their first match|Alana King secured five out of the final six scalps that were taken- including Ash Gardner bowling Klaas- as South Africa was dismissed for under 100 for the second occasion in this event, after being bowled out for 69 by semi-final opponents England in the opening game.

{The defending champions briefly wobbled in their chase, falling to 11 for two inside six overs, before Beth Mooney (42) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) came together to guide them to a routine victory|Although the defending champions faced a scare during the chase, slipping to 11-2 in six overs, Beth Mooney (42 runs) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) partnered to steer them to a straightforward win.