Women's World Cup, South Africa vs Australia, Highlights: Australia Continue Unbeaten Run, Defeat South Africa By 5 Wickets

That concludes the proceedings for this match. There is a rest day in the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 on Wednesday. The action will resume on Thursday, 24th March 2022, and we will have another set of two games coming your way - South Africa Women vs West Indies Women at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, previous day) and England Women vs Pakistan Women at 6.30 am IST (1 am GMT). Both matches hold great importance for England and West Indies, in particular. You can join us in advance for the build-up. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Women are chasing a target of 230 against India Women in the second game of the day. You can switch tabs and enjoy all the updates. Cheers!

Meg Lanning, the winning captain of Australia Women, starts by saying that 271 was par as it was a fantastic pitch with the ball coming on nicely and they felt they were in the game. Mentions that it was a fresh wicket and they thought with the sun out, it will only get better to bat on and that's what happened. Tells that they didn't get the early wickets but they held their nerves very well with the ball. Regarding the fitness of Ellyse Perry, Meg replies that she doesn't have the exact update but Perry would have come to bat if it was needed. States that they brought the required rate down and that allowed them a breathing space. Admits that they played a few loose shots and got away with it. Feels that there are still things to work on and hopes to be on the money against Bangladesh Women.

Sune Luus, the skipper of South Africa Women, says that they had a great first inning and she thought 271 will be par on this surface but Meg Lanning played a fantastic knock. Adds that on another day, their bowling attack would have defended that. On her form, Sune replies that it's nice to contribute with the bat and set the big totals. Admits that they lost focus in the field and hopes it won't happen again. She calls Shabnim Ismail's effort phenomenal. Luus wants more consistency from her spinners. Mentions that they have one day to prepare for West Indies Women and is aware that they have not yet nailed their spot in the semis.

Meg Lanning (135*) is the Player of the Match! She says that it was nice to contribute and bat through. Tells that it was her turn today and it would be someone else next time. Admits that it was a bit tricky at the start but then she got the momentum after seeing off that phase. Praises Shabnim Ismail for her spell. Regarding her form, Lanning replies that she was disappointed with her show at the start of the tournament as she was not clinical. Lauds the efforts of Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath and shares that her plan was to hold one end and bat the distance.

South Africa Women would like to delete this performance from their system. The batting unit did a decent job but when you face a team like Australia Women, your 'decent' is not going to be enough. A total in excess of 300 could have pushed the Aussies but South Africa Women were not allowed to breach that mark. Apart from the last 4 overs, the Aussie bowlers, despite not picking many wickets, managed to put a lid on the scoring rate. South Africa Women didn't do the same with the ball, especially in the middle overs and their abysmal ground fielding along with poor catching piled on the misery even more. Stay tuned for the presentation...

In pursuit, Australia Women lost both their openers fairly early and were in a spot of bother. But Meg Lanning showed her class after that and played a fine knock. She combined for a 60-run stand with Beth Mooney and steadied the chase. Her knock was quite fluent and kept the runs flowing. That didn't allow South Africa Women to build much pressure through the middle overs. With Tahlia McGrath, Lanning formed a 93-run alliance and that nearly sealed the game for them. The asking rate never troubled them and Lanning made sure to bat the distance to see Australia Women home.

Annihilation. Decimation. Domination. Two unbeaten teams clashed and Australia Women showed who is the real boss! South Africa Women have got completely outclassed. Powered by the knock of Laura Wolvaardt, it was quite a challenging total on the board but the Aussies ended up making a mockery of it. They have hit a sixer in this edition, beating six teams and now only Bangladesh Women are left to be conquered.

Winning runs! Full and way down the leg side. Sutherland helps it away to fine leg for a single. Australia Women continue their unbeaten streak in this edition as they win by 5 wickets.

Full, sliding on middle. Sutherland pushes it to mid on.

Darted on the pads, it is tucked to deep square leg for a single. Scores level!

Floated, on off, Lanning works it to sweeper cover for one more.

Tossed up, outside off, pushed through mid off for a single.

Very full and outside off. Sutherland fails to guide it down to third man.

SIX! Dispatched! 4 runs away now! A freebie, full toss around waist height. Sutherland dances down the track and clubs it well over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Slightly short and on off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single. Just 10 runs are needed now.

A length ball, on middle. Sutherland is early into her shot as she chips it in the air but the ball falls well short of mid on.

Fuller and on off, it is pushed to mid off.

Full and slanting around leg. Sutherland whips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler.

Full and on the pads, Meg Lanning helps it to mid-wicket and collects a quick single.