Two of the most consistent sides in the Women’s World Cup 2025, South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, were up against the only unbeaten side in the tournament, Australia, led by the stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath, for their final game in the league stages, at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, for the table-topping clash.
Australia continued to manage the regular skipper Alyssa Healy’s recovery from a minor calf injury. Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham replaced Sophie Molineux in the starting 11. South Africa made a couple of changes; Sinalo Jafta returned into the side, replacing Karabo Meso, while Masabata Klaas replaced Nondumiso Shangase in the starting 11.
Alana King’s 7/18 masterclass Bamboozles South Africa for 97
The Australian stand-in skipper, Tahlia McGrath, won the toss and opted to bowl first. The South African openers, Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt in particular, got off the blocks quickly with her trademark glorious cover drives. She also took down the experienced veteran Megan Schutt for four boundaries in her 2nd over of her spell, after bowling a maiden over in the opening over of the game.
The duo got them off to a promising start with a 32-run opening partnership. Megan Schutt eventually got the better of the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt (31 off 26 balls), in the 7th over of the innings. Sune Luus came out with positive intent, scoring a boundary on the very first ball of her innings. Kim Garth picked up the wicket of a scratchy Tazmin Brits (6 off 19 balls) in the 10th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
The introduction of the leg-spin of Alana King worked immediately as she got amongst the wickets, by sending Sune Luus, who got a top-edge on a slog-sweep, leading to the batter’s downfall on that occasion. She also went on to get the big scalp of Marizanne Kapp, making double strikes in the first over of her spell.
A dreaded collapse followed as the South African batters were unable to mix caution with their refreshing aggression to take the innings deeper and script a fightback. Alana King already had four wickets in her bag by the time Nadine de Klerk scored the first runs off her spell in the form of a boundary coming on a hat-trick delivery.
The experienced wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta (29 off 17 balls) was impressive with her counterattack, but eventually got a bit carried away, giving Alana King her 5th scalp of the day in her spell. Nadine de Klerk (14 off 23 balls) chipped in with another crucial contribution with the bat, pushing the South African total closer to the 100-run mark, before they were bundled out for 97 in 24 overs. South Africa lost their last 9 wickets for just 65 runs.
Leg-spinner Alana King (7-2-18-7) had a dream day out, with an exceptional game-defining spell. It is also the best figures by an Australian in the ODI format, alongside having the best figures by a bowler in an ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Kim Garth (5-2-21-1), Megan Schutt (5-2-21-1), and Ashleigh Gardner (4-0-19-1) were impressive with the ball for their side.
Beth Mooney – Georgia Voll help Australia finish at the top of the table
Defending a low total of 98, the South African new-ball bowlers had a spring in their steps as they were charged up. The experienced veteran Marizanne Kapp gave nothing away, bowling three maidens on the trot. Australia were reduced to 11/2 in the 6th over of the innings. Beth Mooney joined Georgia Voll at the crease, and the duo settled the nerves with a decisive and much-needed 76-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Nadine de Klerk broke the stand courtesy of a low catch from skipper Laura Wolvaardt, to send Beth Mooney (42 off 41 balls) back to the pavilion in the 16th over of the innings. Annabel Sutherland (10* off 4 balls) joined Georgia Voll (38* off 38 balls) at the crease and wrapped things up in style with a couple of boundaries to seal the game with 7 wickets in hand and over 33 overs to spare. Marizanne Kapp (4-3-11-1), Nadine de Klerk (3-0-13-1), and Masabata Klaas (3-0-14-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for South Africa.
Alana King was awarded the Player of the Match for delivering one of the spells for the ages in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup history, 7-2-18-7, setting up a dominant win for Australia, which also gave them a top-of-the-table finish in the league stages of the tournament.
Loves all things female cricket