- Aussies now face showdown against tournament hosts India
Alana King has delivered the greatest spell in World Cup history, taking seven wickets to lead Australia to a big win over South Africa and top spot on the table.
Led by King’s 7-18, Australia were able to bowl South Africa out for 97 in Indore, before chasing down the victory target with seven wickets in hand and with 33 overs to spare.
The result means Australia will finish the round-robin stage of the ODI tournament undefeated and face hosts India in a semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday.
South Africa will face England in the other semi-final, with Saturday’s clash always set to determine top spot on the ladder.
In all, the whole affair lasted a little over three hours as King spun a web around South Africa and showed why she is the best wrist spinner in the world right now.
King’s figures marked the fifth best by any woman in an ODI, the best by any Australian woman, and the only time a woman has taken seven wickets in a World Cup match.
King celebrates after taking the wicket of Nadine De Klerk of South Africa during their World Cup clash
King walks off with the match ball after taking a seven wicket haul for 18 runs – the best figures in ICC Women’s World Cup history
‘It’s a good feeling, I love trying to put Australia into a good position,’ King said.
‘I wouldn’t say a lot has changed with my bowling. If anything I have just tried to become more consistent with my stock ball and trust that.
‘And it’s given me the reward.’
The Victorian now has combined figures of 10-56 in her past three games, sending down 27 overs in the process and going at an economy rate of just over two runs an over.
But as good as King was against Bangladesh and England in the past fortnight, she was on another level against South Africa on Saturday.
King at one stage had 4-0 from her first 2.3 overs, taking the crucial wicket of Marizanne Kapp on the way when she beat her in flight and had her caught at gully.
Sune Luis was caught sweeping, Annerie Dercksen bowled and Chloe Tryon dismissed at mid-wicket, as South Africa struggled to handle King.
The spinner had her fifth when she bowled Sinalo Jafta, before doing the same to Masabata Klass.
The big win means the Aussies will face off against India in the semi-finals of the World Cup
And she saved her best ball until last, knocking over Nadine de Klerk with a ball that pitched on leg stump and took the top of off.
Australia stumbled early in their reply, with Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry falling cheaply.
But the chase was never really in double, with Georgia Voll hitting an unbeaten 38 while filling in at the top for injured captain Alyssa Healy.
Beth Mooney also posted 42, with Healy back training on her strained call and pushing to return for Thursday’s semi-final.
The win came after a difficult week for the team. Cricket Australia confirmed on Saturday two players had allegedly been stalked and inappropriately touched by a man on Thursday.
The incident was reported to police by team security, with local media reporting a man has since been arrested.
