Imperious Lanning leads Australia past South Africa

Wellington: Meg Lanning's 135 not out led her Australia side to a thumping five-wicket win over South Africa, continuing their unbeaten run at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2022 at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday.

Laura Wolvaardt fell short of a century of her own but made a fine 90 as South Africa set Australia a challenging 272 to win in Wellington. But South Africa had no match for an imperious Lanning as she steered Australia to a dominant victory which ensured they will finish no lower than second.

Having been put in to bat, Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee reached 88 runs for South Africa's highest opening partnership of the tournament before Lee fell LBW to Alana King for 36 from 44 balls.

Lara Goodall, who came into the side for a struggling Tazmin Brits, timed the ball well but could make only 15 before she provided King with a routine catch off the bowling of Annabel Sutherland.

Wolvaardt and Sune Luus continued their fruitful partnership, putting on 91 for the third wicket as Wolvaardt reached her fourth consecutive World Cup fifty. A century again proved elusive, however, the opener falling 10 runs short as Ashleigh Gardner earned her first wicket.

Luus would fall not long after, Tahlia McGrath taking her second catch of the day - this one much simpler than the catch to dismiss Wolvaardt to send Luus back to the pavilion following a well-made 52 from 51 balls.

Losing their two set batters saw South Africa slip to 216 for four and Mignon du Preez was given another chance to get some runs in the tournament, having made just 27 across the Proteas' previous four matches.

She could add only 14 to the total but her dismissal was not entirely her fault, du Preez joining the Australians in having a smile on her face -- though hers was a wry one -- as Gardner plucked the ball out of the sky at full stretch, stopping what looked to be a six to reduce South Africa to 228 for five.

Brief Scores: South Africa 271/5 in 50.0 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 90, Sune Luus 52) vs Australia 272/5 in 45.2 overs (Meg Lanning 135 not out, Tahlia McGrath 32).

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