Captain fantastic Meg Lanning guided Australia to a sixth straight World Cup victory, making an unbeaten 135 and a successful 5-271 chase for South Africa.
Australia were under pressure in Wellington’s Basin Reserve after the Proteas put together a nice total, from Laura Wolvaardt’s 90.
After a fantastic early spell by Shabnim Ismail, Australia scored, reaching 5-272 with 28 balls remaining.
Fresh from a match-winning 97 against India on Saturday, Lanning was central again on Tuesday.
The Victorian played a composed hand before making the flight, 15 fours, one six striking and running in every corner of the field to give the tournament the highest runners-up with Monster Knack.
The Australian skipper rose to prominence in the wake of top-order bat Ellyse Perry, who injured her back bowling to mark its 15th ODI century.
“It was great to contribute,” Lanning said.
“We talk a lot about the top four trying to beat through and play the match-winning innings. It was me today, it will be another day (but) it was great to be there in the end.”
South Africa’s sliding door moment came early in the pursuit of Australia, as Ismail desperately had trouble not stopping the Aussie skipper during a ferocious start.
Ismail, the World Cup’s leading wicketkeeper, caught Alyssa Healy behind for one and was on the warpath, pulling twice the edges of Lanning that were dropped or missed behind the wicket.
She had lost none of her intensity on her return to the attack, taking the wicket from Tahlia McGrath and sending death stares to Lizette Lee for missing catches on Slide and Gully.
“She was fast bowling,” Lanning said.
“I thought (Marizanne)’s head and Ismail shot extremely well. I probably left more balls behind than I ever did.”
Load
Rachael Haynes (17), Beth Mooney (21), McGrath (32) and Ash Gardner (22) all played supporting acts on the Lanning Show, with Annabel Sutherland (22 not out) alongside their captain to beat the winner.
Lanning won the toss and decided to play field but without restless tempo bowler Darcie Brown, Australia struggled to make an early breakthrough.
Wolvaardt and Lee were not worried about being sent off, becoming the first opening pair to survive a powerplay against Australia with a stand of 88 runs.
Late blows from Sune Luus (52 on 51), Marizanne Kapp (30 on 21) and Chloe Tryon (17 on 9) gave the Proteas the biggest total of the tournament.
No Australian bowler has more than a single wicket, though Gardner produced free throws with a one-handed screamer on the edge to stop a six and dismiss power hitter Mignon du Preez.
The victory means Australia will be at the top of the group stage – with the exception of a capitulation against Bangladesh on Friday – and will set the world No. 1 fresh world record.
After 18 straight successful pursuits, Lanning’s side took over the Indian home side from 2005-06 to beat the most consecutive ODI victories second.
The result is South Africa’s first loss of the tournament, although they are still highly likely to reach the semi-finals.
AAP / ABC
Add Comment