Australia’s star leg-spinner Alana King delivered a record-breaking performance, claiming 7 wickets for just 18 runs, the best-ever bowling figures in Women’s World Cup history.
With this emphatic victory, Australia topped their group and booked a place in the semi-finals, where they are set to face India Women in what promises to be a high-voltage clash.
🏟️ Toss and First Innings – South Africa’s Batting Collapse
South Africa Women won the toss and elected to bat first, but things went downhill from the start. The Australian bowlers struck early, dismantling South Africa’s top order with precision and pace.
- Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, usually reliable openers, failed to settle as early wickets tumbled.
- The Proteas’ middle order crumbled under the relentless pressure of Alana King’s leg-spin.
- None of the South African batters crossed the 25-run mark, and the entire team was bowled out for just 97 runs in 28.4 overs.
Key Bowling Figures (Australia):
- 🌀 Alana King: 7/18 (8 overs)
- ⚡ Ellyse Perry: 1/17 (6 overs)
- 🎯 Ashleigh Gardner: 1/19 (4 overs)
💥 Second Innings – Australia’s Smooth Chase
Chasing a modest target of 98 runs, Australia Women made a confident start. Though they lost a few wickets early, the experienced duo of Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy ensured a smooth finish.
- Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a composed 42 off 36 balls, including 6 boundaries.
- Alyssa Healy provided stability with her quick 24 runs.
- Australia comfortably chased down the target in just 16.5 overs, finishing at 98/3, sealing a 7-wicket victory.
🏅 Player of the Match – Alana King
Without any surprise, Alana King was awarded the Player of the Match for her historic performance. Her spell of 7/18 not only set a new World Cup record but also became the best bowling figures by an Australian woman in ODI history.
“It was one of those days when everything clicked. The ball was gripping perfectly, and I just stuck to my plan,”
— Alana King after the match.
Her control, variation, and accuracy left the South African batters clueless, making it one of the most dominant bowling performances in modern women’s cricket.
📊 Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 97 all out | 28.4 overs | – |
| Australia Women | 98/3 | 16.5 overs | Won by 7 wickets |
🧠 Analysis – What Went Wrong for South Africa
South Africa’s downfall was primarily due to poor shot selection and inability to handle spin. The batters struggled against the turn and bounce extracted by Alana King on a slightly dry Indore pitch.
The lack of partnerships hurt them deeply — the longest stand was just 18 runs. Moreover, their bowling attack lacked the aggression needed to defend a low total.
🇦🇺 Australia’s Winning Formula
Australia’s dominance in women’s cricket continues. Their strategy remains consistent — disciplined bowling, flexible batting order, and world-class fielding.
Their experience in big tournaments shines through, and this match once again showed why they are the most successful team in women’s World Cup history.
🔮 What’s Next?
- Australia Women advance to the semi-final and will face India Women, a rematch many fans are eagerly waiting for after their thrilling encounter in the last World Cup.
- South Africa Women, though still in contention, must win their next match decisively to stay in the semi-final race.
💬 Fans’ Reactions on Social Media
The cricket community erupted on social media, praising Alana King’s performance:
“That was pure magic! Alana King is a wizard with the ball.”
— @cricketfan_2025
“Seven wickets in a World Cup game? Unreal. Australia look unstoppable.”
— @sportsbuzz_live
Memes, applause, and admiration flooded X (Twitter), celebrating one of the greatest bowling performances in women’s cricket history.
The Australia vs South Africa Women’s World Cup 2025 clash will be remembered for Alana King’s phenomenal spell and Australia’s unshakeable dominance.
As the tournament heads toward the knockout stage, Australia have once again stamped their authority, reminding the world why they are the queens of world cricket.
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