South Africa were bundled out for 97 in 24 overs, with Australia’s Alana King producing a devastating spell of 7/18 – the best figures of the tournament so far. In reply, Georgia Voll 38* and Beth Mooney 42 guided the Aussies to victory with more than 33 overs to spare.

After losing the toss, South Africa were sent in to bat under overcast skies at the Holkar Stadium. Captain Laura Wolvaardt 31 and Tazmin Brits six provided a steady start, taking the score to 32 without loss before the Proteas’ innings unravelled.

Alana King celebrating one of her seven wickets. Photo: Cricinfo

Megan Schutt with 1/21 and Kim Garth with 1/21 removed the openers before King’s leg-spin turned the match on its head. The 29-year-old dismantled the middle order with four wickets for no runs, removing Suné Luus for six, Marizanne Kapp for a duck, Annerie Dercksen for five, and Chloé Tryon for a duck as well, reducing the Proteas to 60/6 inside 16 overs.

Sinalo Jafta provided a brief spark, hitting a personal best 29 off just 17 deliveries, before becoming King’s fifth victim. Supported by Ashleigh Gardner with 1/19, King wrapped up the innings as South Africa were dismissed for just 97.

Despite defending a modest total, the Proteas started brightly with the ball. Kapp with 1/11 struck early, finding the edge of Phoebe Litchfield five, while Nadine de Klerk took a sharp catch at point off Masabata Klaas with 1/14 to remove Ellyse Perry for a duck, leaving Australia reeling at 11/2.

However, Voll and Mooney steadied the ship with a composed 76-run partnership, steering Australia to 87/2 and within sight of victory. De Klerk with 1/13 dismissed Mooney late on, but the defending champions cruised home with 33.1 overs remaining.

Speaking after the match, wicketkeeper-batter Jafta admitted the result was disappointing but said the team remains focused on the bigger picture.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose the way we did. The coach always tells us to have that ‘chicken brain’ – assess where we went wrong, and by the time we get on the plane to Guwahati, we need to be switched on and ready to go again.”

Proteas and Sinalo Jafta celebrating  Ellyse Perry's early wicket. Photo: Cricinfo

Jafta said despite the setback, the squad is determined to bounce back in the semi-final.

“This gives us a great opportunity to reflect and see where we can improve. We’ve got brilliant coaches, and Baakier Abrahams has been fantastic with the batting unit. It’s now about trusting our process and focusing on what works for us. We’ve shown before we can beat the best – there’s no reason we can’t do it again.”

The Proteas Women will now face England in the first semi-final at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, 29 October. Play is scheduled to start at 11:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg