Alana King Shatters Record with 7-18 as Australia Crushes South Africa
URGENT UPDATE: Alana King has made history at the Women’s Cricket World Cup by claiming a stunning 7 wickets for just 18 runs, leading Australia to a decisive victory over South Africa by seven wickets in Indore, India, earlier today. This remarkable performance marks the first-ever seven-wicket haul in the tournament’s history, as Australia dismissed South Africa for a mere 97 runs in just 24 overs.
King’s extraordinary seven-over spell not only shattered the previous record of 6-10 held by Jacqueline Lord since 1982 but also highlighted South Africa’s struggle, resulting in their lowest total against Australia in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The South African captain, Laura Wolvaardt, managed to top-score with 31 runs, but her team faced relentless pressure from King and the Australian bowlers.
In response, Australia wasted no time, chasing down the target with 98 runs for 3 wickets in just 16.5 overs. The chase was spearheaded by Beth Mooney, who scored 42 runs, and Georgia Voll, who finished with an unbeaten 38 runs. This victory not only ended South Africa’s impressive five-match winning streak but also solidified Australia’s position at the top of the league table with six wins out of seven matches.
Looking ahead, Australia, the seven-time champions, are set to face co-host India in the second semifinal on Thursday, July 15, 2023, in Navi Mumbai. Meanwhile, South Africa still has a chance to secure a spot in the semifinals, contingent upon England defeating New Zealand in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Regardless, South Africa will take on the four-time champions in the first semifinal in Guwahati on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
The league stage concludes with a double-header on Sunday, as India also prepares to face Bangladesh, setting the stage for a thrilling finish to the tournament. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the Women’s Cricket World Cup progresses.
