The Momentum Proteas tasted their first defeat in the ICC women’s Cricket World Cup when they lost by five wickets against Australia in Wellington on Tuesday.
Both teams went into the game undefeated since the start of the tournament, with South Africa looking to book their spot in the semi-finals, while their opponents having sealed their position in the last four.
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, which saw Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee setting an 88-run partnership. However, Lee was dismissed for 36 by Alana King through an lbw. Wolvaardt managed to stay on the crease long enough and scored 90 runs, while captain Sune Luus contributed 52 runs, taking South Africa to 271-5.
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Proteas bowlers picked up early wickets against the opening batters in the first 10 overs, removing Alyssa Healy for 5 runs while Rachael Haynes only managed to add17 on the scoreboard. Nonetheless, that did not stop the Aussies captain, Meg Lanning, from steering her side to victory with an impressive 135 runs not out. This was Lanning’s 15th ODI century, hitting 13 fours and one six for only 92 balls.
Despite the defeat, South Africa still occupies the second position on the table, with India, West Indies, and England right behind them, also in contention for a position in the last four.
The loss means that Proteas have to battle it out in their last match against the West Indies on Thursday, also set to take place in Wellington.
Brief Score:
SA 271/5 (Wolvaardt 90, Luus 52)
Australia 272/5 in 45.2 (Lanning 135*, Ismail 2/33, Tryon 2/44)
Australia won by 5 wickets with 28 balls left
Team Line ups:
AUSTRALIA: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jessica Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt
SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus (capt), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune
