Australia record 3-wkt win over South Africa

CUTTACK: Australia Women sealed their spot in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women's World Cup with a three-wicket win over South Africa here at the DRIEMS Ground, Tangi on Sunday.

Set a target of only 189 runs to chase, the Australian innings looked a little shaky before partnerships between opener Rachael Haynes and middle-order batsman Lisa Sthalekar and skipper Jodie Fields sealed the match for Australia.

Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail was the most effective fast bowler for South Africa, pegging back the Australian chase with quick top-order strikes. A 59-run partnership between Haynes and Sthalekar steadied the innings. Haynes then added another 57 runs with Jodie Fields before the former was dismissed for 83. Erin Osborne and Ellyse Perry then combined to take their side home in the 46th over.

South Africa, who chose to bat first, were two wickets down without a run on the board after fast bowler Perry struck quicklyto dismiss opener Yolandi Potgieter and captain Mignon du Preez.

Trisha Chetty and Marizanne Kapp then added 122 runs for the third wicket to lend some stability to their side's effort. Their dismissals in the space of four overs, however, put the brakes on the South African innings, which eventually ended at 188.(Cricinfo)