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Australia into Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals

Australia, the top-ranked team and defending champion, was impressive again to cruise past South Africa by six wickets, comfortably chasing down the tournament host's 124-6 and finishing on 125-4 with more than three overs to spare.

Published on: Feb 19, 2023, 07:20:02 IST
AP
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Australia clinched a place in the semifinals at the Women's T20 World Cup by beating South Africa and ending the group stage with four wins from four on Saturday.

Australia women's cricket team in action (Twitter)
Australia women's cricket team in action (Twitter)

Unbeaten England is nearly there after coming out on top in its matchup with India for a third win.

Australia, the top-ranked team and defending champion, was impressive again to cruise past South Africa by six wickets, comfortably chasing down the tournament host's 124-6 and finishing on 125-4 with more than three overs to spare.

Australia was without injured opening batter and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy but that made no difference to the performance. Middle-order batter Tahlia McGrath thumped 10 fours in her 57 from 33 balls as Australia raced to victory and was confirmed as the Group 1 winner.

England came through its toughest test yet by holding off India by 11 runs in their top-of-the-table meeting in Group 2.

India, which also came into the game in Gqeberha unbeaten, fell short of England's total of 151-7 despite 52 from opener Smriti Mandhana and another fighting innings at the end by wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who made 47 not out but wasn't able to take her team home this time.

India managed only 140-5 and England is clear at the top of the group and within a whisker of a place in the last four. England plays Pakistan in its last group game on Tuesday.

England began the game under pressure when seamer Renuka Singh struck in each of her first three overs, removing Danni Wyatt for a duck, Alice Capsey for 3 and Sophia Dunkley for 10.

Nat Sciver-Brunt rescued England from 29-3 with her 50 from 42 balls, and her partnerships of 51 with Heather Knight and 40 with Amy Jones ensured the English posted a competitive total at St. George's Park.

Mandhana was up for the challenge, crashing seven fours and a six. But she fell in the 16th over and straight after hitting her six, caught at long-on attempting another big shot, to leave India too much to do.

“It’s good to see that our batting group showed character even after 29 for 3,” England captain Knight said. “We haven’t really played against a big team recently and to play like this against this Indian team was fantastic."

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