King Claims 7-18 as Aussies Demolish Proteas

ICC Women's World Cup, India

South Africa all out for 97: Wolvaardt 31 (26); King 7-18

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

Australia won by seven wickets

Alana King produced the best figures in Women's World Cup annals as Australia crushed South Africa by 7 wickets to arrange a knockout clash with the Indian team.

Spin bowler Alana King captured seven wickets conceding 18 runs in her 7 bowling stints while South Africa imploded from a solid start to just 97 runs in 24 overs, and Australia wrapped up the chase with 199 balls left.

King became just the 6th female cricketer and 3rd Australian to claim 7 wickets in a women's one-day international and the pioneer to do it at a World Cup, beating New Zealand bowler Lord's record of 6-10 against India in the year 1982.

The victory in the Indian city secures top spot in the table for the Australian team, who have triumphed in all six fixtures in the preliminary round, and means they will face fourth-place India in Mumbai on October 30.

Opening batswoman Laura Wolvaardt was one of only three Proteas batters to reach double figures, smacking seven boundaries in the opening six overs to gift her team the perfect start before being dismissed for 31 by Megan Schutt, with Alana King taking the grab at midwicket.

{Kim Garth then dismissed Brits lbw in the final over of the powerplay before Alana King took wickets twice in five balls as the Proteas fell from 42-1 to 43-4|Following that, Kim Garth got Brits leg before in the concluding over of powerplay, and then the leg-spinner claimed twice in just five balls, causing South Africa to slump from 42-1 to 43-4.

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

{The defending champions briefly wobbled in their pursuit, falling to 11-2 inside the first six overs, before Beth Mooney (42) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) combined to guide 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, Mooney (42 runs) and Georgia Voll (38 not out) teamed up to steer them to a smooth triumph.