Did Alana King Spin Australia to Victory and Set Up a Semifinal Clash with India?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Alana King made history with 7-18 bowling figures.
- Australia finished the league stage at the top with 13 points.
- Beth Mooney scored a crucial 42 runs in the chase.
- Australia will face India in the semifinals.
- South Africa will play against England in the first semifinal.
Indore, Oct 24 (NationPress) Alana King achieved a remarkable bowling feat with figures of 7-18, while Beth Mooney contributed with 42 runs, leading Australia to an impressive seven-wicket triumph over South Africa during their final league match of the Women’s World Cup at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Saturday.
With this victory, Australia secured their fifth straight win, finishing the league stage at the top of the standings with 13 points from seven matches. They are now set to face the hosts, India, who completed the league in fourth place, during the second semifinal at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on October 30.
In a stunning display, leg-spinner Alana King dismantled the South African lineup, bowling them out for a mere 97 runs in just 24 overs. She made history as the first female cricketer to take a seven-wicket haul in World Cup history.
After being invited to bat, South Africa started cautiously, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting together 32 runs for the first wicket before Megan Schutt dismissed Wolvaardt for 31 in the seventh over. Brits (6) fell in the last over of the powerplay, leaving South Africa at 42 for 2 after 10 overs.
The match shifted dramatically when Alana King entered the attack, taking two wickets in her first over, which ignited a batting collapse.
Wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta offered some resistance, hitting three boundaries in one over against Annabel Sutherland. However, King continued her onslaught, dismissing Annerie Dercksen (5) and Chloe Tryon (0) on consecutive deliveries, leaving South Africa reeling at 60 for 6 in 15.3 overs.
With the match slipping away, King capitalized on the momentum, bowling out Jafta (29) in the 18th over to secure her five-wicket haul. From that point, South Africa's innings collapsed swiftly.
King also took the wicket of Masabata Klaas, while Ashleigh Gardner added the wicket of Ayabonga Khaka (0). King concluded her spell by dismissing Nadine de Klerk (14), finishing with outstanding figures of 7 for 18 from seven overs, including two maidens—an extraordinary performance that underscored Australia’s dominance.
In their chase, Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas disrupted Australia’s top order, claiming the wickets of Phoebe Litchfield (5) and Ellyse Perry (0) within the first six overs.
Nevertheless, Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney steadied the innings with a crucial 76-run partnership until Nadine de Klerk dismissed Mooney just as Australia approached victory. Voll remained unbeaten at 38 off 33 balls, hitting seven fours, as Australia comfortably chased down the target in 16.5 overs.
South Africa will now face England in the first semifinal in Guwahati on October 29.
Brief scores:
South Africa 97 all out in 24 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 31, Sinalo Jafta 29; Alana King 7-18) lost to Australia 98/3 in 16.5 overs (Beth Mooney 42, Georgia Voll 38; Marizanne Kapp 1-11, Nadine de Klerk 1-13) by seven wickets.