The black soil of the indore pitch at the Holkar cricket stadium as predicted by Dinesh Karthick during his pich report and his prophetic prediction that the leg spin princess of Australia Alina King will exploit these conditions became Gospel.
The limited crowds at the stadium and millions of television viewers saw a reincarnation of a Shane Warne in a female figure as Alana King TV, Australian leg spinner took 7 for 18 in her 10 over bowling spell, the first in the history of a women’s world cup and saw the back of all South African batters in the hutch within 25 overs of the 26th league game as both semi finalists Australia and South Africa ended their final league game yesterday.
Alyssa Healy is nursing her calf injury. Hence, Tahila Mcgrath, as Captain, put South Africa into bat and stated that this venue aids teams chasing , but she would never have in her wildest dreams expected an early beer and an early supper.
The South African skipper Laura Wollvaardt looked comfortable making a quick 31 , however, her departure , caught brilliantly by our hero Alina King had the rest of the South African batters hapless against quality leg spin bowling by Alana King who had recorded the best ever bowling figures in a World Cup 10 overs 2 maidens 18 runs 7 wickets. Posters quickly started appearing in the stadium quote, ” We have come to watch Alina King bowl ” unquote.
Sadly, only Skipper Laura Wollvaardt 31 , Sinalo Jaffa 29 , and Nadine De Klerk 17 recoeded double figures, whilst the rest of the batters appalling telephone digits.
The South African batters just could not read Alina King both off the wrist or off the pitch and were sitting ducks to state the least. Imagine bowled out for 97 in 24 overs. It is the worst story the Proteas journalist will script this evening.
Australia with the aid of Beth Mooney 42 in 43 balls with six boundaries, and Georgia Voll unbeaten on 38 with 7 boundaries got the job done in 16.5 overs, scoring 98 for the loss of 3 wickets , to remain unbeaten in World Cup 2025 so far.
South Africa will meet England in the 1st Semi finals on Wednesday the 29th while Australia plays India in the second semi-finals on Thursday the 29th.
Main scores
South Africa 97 all out in 24 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt 31, Sibalo Jaffa 29, Nadine De Klerk 17.
Alina King 7 for 18
Ash Gardner 1 for 19
Megan Schults 1 for 21
Kim Garth 1 for 21.
Australia 98 for 3 in 16.5 overs.
Beth Mooney 48
Georgia Voll 38 unbeaten.
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Marizanne Kapp 1 for 11
Australia won by 7 wickets
Player of the match Alana King of Australia.