The Australian Women have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against the South African Women in a ICC Women’s World Cup clash at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Saturday.

The top-of-the-table clash will decide who meets the Indian Women in the second semifinal next Thursday while the losers will face the four-time champions, England the day before.

South Africa have not had the best of results against their Australasian counterparts, winning only one of their 18 encounters, an 84-run DLS win in February earlier this year. Tazmin Brits and opener Laura Wolvaardt will be key for the South African ladies.

Brits’ power has enabled her to rack up 534 runs in her last nine games with an average of 89 and a strike-rate of 107 while Wolvaardt averages 53 in her last 10 matches and a steady strike-rate of 87.

With the ball, the spin of Nonkululeko Mlaba and pace of Nadine de Klerk will have to find a way of removing Australia’s pair of Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner as early as possible. Mooney has an average of 55 at a run-a-ball while Gardner smashes the white ball at 114, averaging 60.

Mlaba’s deception with the ball has been excellent, taking 15 wickets at 26 while conceding runs at under five runs to the over. De Klerk’s economy is slightly higher at 5.45 but has claimed 10 wickets at just 23.1 runs per wicket.

Australia’s pair of Alana King and Annabel Sutherland have excellent economy rates, both less than five to the over and have 33 wickets between them at around 27 runs per wicket.

The current holders are top of the log with 11 points and are unbeaten with just one no-result from six starts. The Proteas ladies are second, on 10 points, having lost just once in six games – an opening game defeat to England by 10 wickets.

Since then, the South African women have won five-straight matches, their last two being emphatic results. A 10-wicket trouncing of the Sri Lankan Women and then a DLS win by 150 runs over their Pakistan counterparts.

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Indian police have arrested a man accused of stalking and inappropriately touching two Australian cricketers participating in the ICC Women's World Cup, officials said on Saturday.

The incident happened in the central Indian city of Indore on Thursday morning when the two players left their hotel to go to a cafe, police officer Rajesh Dandotiya told AFP.

"We received a complaint from the Australian team security and immediately acted, registered a case and identified the accused within six hours," Dandotiya said.

Violence against women remains a chronic issue in the world's most populous country, where an average of nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in 2022.

Dandotiya said the 30-year-old man who was arrested has a criminal record. The man followed the players and approached them "for a bad touch" about 800 metres from their hotel.

The two players were not identified by Indian police or Cricket Australia, which confirmed the incident.

"The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

The Times of India newspaper reported that the team's security manager received a distress message from one of the cricketers that said "... there is a guy following us trying to grab us".

Team officials were informed and went to their location to assist the players, the paper said.

A police patrol then escorted the players safely back to the team's hotel.

Police said they have opened a case against the arrested man for "inappropriate behaviour and stalking".

Australia were playing South Africa in their pool match in Indore on Saturday.

India has made strides towards gender equality and women's empowerment in recent years but safety for women remains a serious concern.

Centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal powered India to a 53-run win over New Zealand and into the Women's World Cup semifinals on Thursday.

Defending champions Australia, England and South Africa have already booked their berth in the semifinals of the eight-nation tournament.

Openers Mandhana and Rawal put on 212 runs as India posted a mammoth 340-3 in 49 overs at a rain-hit DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

The left-handed Mandhana hit 109 and Rawal struck 122 as the pair started cautiously but soon bossed the opposition bowling with boundaries galore.

In reply, New Zealand finished on 271-8, chasing a revised target of 325 in 44 overs to bow out of the semi-final race with a match remaining.

India book their place in the #CWC25 semi-finals ✅🏆#HereForHer | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/S4F4VJcKRL

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 23, 2025

The White Ferns, led by Sophie Devine, have been unlucky with two abandoned matches due to rain in Colombo.

Co-hosts India bounced back from three defeats in a row to put up a clinical all-round show in their bid to win their first World Cup title.

Mandhana and Rawal took the match away from New Zealand during their marathon stand -- India's best for any wicket in the women's ODI World Cup.

Mandhana reached 100 with a single off Jess Kerr for her fifth hundred in 2025 and go level with South Africa's Tazmin Brits for most tons in women's ODI matches in a calender year.

She finally fell to Suzie Bates and walked off to a standing ovation from a raucous home crowd. The star batter hit 10 fours and four sixes in her 95-ball knock.

Rawal kept up the charge with Jemimah Rodrigues, who made 76 not out, to raise her maiden World Cup hundred and the pair put on 76 runs to further push New Zealand on the backfoot.

Amelia Kerr dismissed Rawal with her leg-spin but Rodrigues stood firm and hit regular boundaries.

Rain interrupted India's innings after the 48th over and it took over 90 minutes for the 49th and the last over to be bowled.

New Zealand's reply was delayed due to light drizzle and lost an early wicket when Bates departed for one off medium-pace bowler Kranti Goud in the second over.

Georgia Plimmer hit back in her 25-ball 30 but fell bowled to Renuka Singh's medium-pace bowling.

Renuka struck again to send back Devine bowled for six as New Zealand slipped to 59-3.

A late push by Brooke Halliday, who hit 81, and Isabella Gaze, who made an unbeaten 65, infused some life into the chase in their sixth-wicket stand of 72 but the asking rate always kept India in control.

INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare

NEW ZEALAND: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

A brief glance at the group-stage log at the Women’s World Cup might suggest that most pre-tournament predictions are materialising as envisaged but the reality is rarely that simple. 

India started as favourites on home soil but nerves have played their part in three pulsating losses to Australia – in a record run-chase – in the game of the tournament so far, to South Africa and again by just four runs to England.

Australia, England and the Proteas Women all qualified for the semifinals with games to spare leaving India and New Zealand to face each other in a straight quarterfinal knockout on Thursday for a semifinal place against the winner of the final group match between Australia and South Africa on Saturday.

New Zealand brace for a pivotal group-stage encounter against India 💪

Grab you tickets to catch the action LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/GfxlP1DQHD#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SfJLmnCTY6

— ICC (@ICC) October 22, 2025

India gear up for a crunch clash against New Zealand in #CWC25 👊

Grab your #INDvNZ tickets now ➡️ https://t.co/GfxlP1DQHD pic.twitter.com/pBuIMoy3MI

— ICC (@ICC) October 22, 2025

England began with a stunning victory against South Africa, dismissing Laura Wolvaardt’s team for just 69 and knocking off the runs in under 15 overs but it proved to be a portent for the future for neither team.

Whereas the Proteas reeled off five consecutive victories with increasing ease and precision, England have coughed and stuttered, squeezing past India by just four runs – courtesy of more Indian nerves – and escaping almost certain defeat against Pakistan having limped to 133-9 before rain washed the match away with Pakistan 34-0 after six overs.

DEPTH AND CONSISTENCY

While Australia are unquestionably the team to beat (as always), South Africa owe their improving form to wider range of players than any other team.

The Aussies have the highest run-scorer in the tournament so far in captain Alyssa Healy who has two centuries in her 294 from six games and the highest wicket-taker, seam bowling allrounder, Annabel Sutherland, with 15 so far.

There is no shortage of allrounders in the Australian team but there are even more in South Africa’s, led by the best in the world, Marizanne Kapp, and player of the tournament so far, Nadine de Klerk.

Wolvaardt is just 24 run behind Healy heading into Saturday’s match with three 50s in her 270 at an average of 54, but no less than five other batters have scored 130+ runs, more than any other team.

De Klerk’s 165 at average of 82.5 is eye-catching but even more impressive is the strike rate of 150.

Her performance against India ranks among South Africa’s finest, men or women.

Having slipped to 142-6 in pursuit of 252 against India, Chloe Tryon (49) steadied the innings before De Klerk hammered a glorious 84* from just 54 balls with eight fours and five sixes to seal a famous three-wicket victory.

Nadine de Klerk's match-winning knock in Visakhapatnam 🤩🔥#HereForHer | #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/apMkMfQMmZ

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 9, 2025

Kapp, too, has 162 runs so far with opener Tazmin Brits (161), Sune Luus (151) and Tryon 134 all contributing towards victories.

Depth and consistency breeds confidence even more than brilliant individual performances.

Having said that, the Proteas are more than happy to rely on the individual brilliance of left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba with the ball.

Her 11 wickets are way ahead of Kapp (6), Tryon and De Klerk, who have five apiece, but unlike most other teams, the Proteas have used all of their 15 players ensuring freshness and valuable game time whoever is required for the final two or three matches.

New Zealand may yet spoil India’s party. They might even have done so already had they not suffered two washouts in monsoon-hit Colombo, co-host only because geo-politics mean that Pakistan cannot play in India.

But questions have been legitimately asked about why so many matches were scheduled in the Sri Lankan capital at such a meteorologically risky time of year.

The semifinals take place on Wednesday and Thursday next week (29 & 30 Octpber) with the final on Sunday, 2 November.

Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland starred with the bat as unbeaten Australia completed a convincing six-wicket win over Ashes rivals England on Wednesday in the Women's World Cup.

Playing without skipper Alyssa Healy, who missed out due to a calf injury, holders Australia restricted England to 244-9 with Sutherland taking three wickets in Indore.

Sutherland then hit 98 and put on an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 180 with Gardner (104) to lift Australia from a precarious 68-4 and carry them to victory in 40.3 overs.

Gardner made her second ton of the tournament and then swiftly celebrated in style by hitting the winning boundary to condemn England to their first defeat in this edition of the World Cup.

A clinical showing from Australia saw them overcome England for their fifth win at #CWC25 👊🇦🇺#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/0tTPJxoVku

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 22, 2025

Seven-time winners Australia, England and South Africa have already qualified for the semifinals of the women's 50-over marquee tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are fighting to grab the one remaining semifinal spot.

For Australia, it was their fifth victory in six matches with one game washed out as they top the table on 11 points.

Defending 245, England's bowlers put Australia on the back foot when Linsey Smith dismissed Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry in quick succession after Lauren Bell bowled Phoebe Litchfield with the third ball of the innings.

Sophie Ecclestone then struck to remove the dangerous Beth Mooney and give England, who lost 16-0 to Australia in the Ashes earlier this year, real hope of a statement win.

Sutherland and Gardner then dug in to put the chase back on track and, once set, took on the England bowling with regular boundaries.

Second #CWC25 century for Ash Gardner in the chase against England 🔥

Watch @cricketworldcup LIVE in your region, broadcast details 📺 https://t.co/MNSEqhJhcB pic.twitter.com/muNItgDNn9

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 22, 2025

Earlier, England got off to a flying start with Tammy Beaumont, who made 78, leading the batting charge with a string of boundaries, including a hat-trick of fours off Kim Garth in the eighth over.

But all-rounder Sutherland came into the attack and struck in the next over as she bowled wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones for 18 to end a brisk opening stand of 55.

Beaumont kept up the momentum with Heather Knight but Sophie Molineux broke through with her left-arm spin to send back Knight lbw for 20.

Beaumont raised her fifty with a boundary off Garth but soon England lost their way when skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt fell to Alana King's leg-spin and Sutherland took down Beaumont.

Alice Capsey and Charlie Dean (26) counter-attacked in their seventh-wicket partnership of 61.

Molineux then dismissed Capsey for 38 and two balls later Gardner had Dean out as England settled for a below-par total at a venue that has produced big runs and a highest of 326 by Australia in this tournament.

AUSTRALIA: Tahlia McGrath(c), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt

ENGLAND: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

An all-round performance from Marizanne Kapp helped the Proteas women clinch a thumping, farcical weather affected 150-run win over Pakistan in their World Cup pool match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday night, to move top of the log with one game remaining.

Their fifth straight win from six games sees the Proteas on 10 points, one ahead of Australia and England, who both have played five, but face each other in Indore on Wednesday.

It is an amazing turnaround after the Proteas were bowled out for 69 and hammered by 10 wickets by England in their tournament opener, but have responded by winning everything since, starting against New Zealand, followed by India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and now Pakistan.

Their latest match was an incredibly frustrating affair as they faced multiple rain delays throughout both innings, before the Proteas were forced to rush through eight overs to constitute a game, as Pakistan closed their insurmountable chase on 83-7 off 20 overs to lose on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

Dominant. Decisive. Deserving. 💫 #TheProteas Women storm to the top of the #CWC25 table with a commanding victory over Pakistan Women! 🇿🇦🔥 #Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/SeYuwfZchU

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 21, 2025

But the match was won in the first innings, when the Proteas were powered by half centuries from captain Laura Wolvaardt, Kapp, Sune Luus and a cameo from Nadine de Klerk that saw them amass a huge 312-9 in their 40 overs.

“It (batting) was pretty good. Scoring 312 in 40 overs is really nice for us. Obviously performances all-round. Kappie was amazing in the middle, I think Nadine was sensational at the end, and it’s just really nice seeing everyone chipping in at different phases in the line-up,” said Wolvaardt after the match.

“We thought our seamers would be big up front (in the chase). When we were batting there was bit in it for the seam up front, so we thought Kappie and Aya would be good, they were excellent and taking those few wickets up front really shifted that Duckworth-Lewis heavily in our favour going back after the rain.”

RAIN, RAIN AND MORE RAIN

Pakistan were set a DLS adjusted target of 306 in their 40 over chase, which was already an unlikely task, before being reduced to 35-4 after 10 overs.

What followed was then farcical scenes as the players walked on and off the field multiple times, as the rain stopped and started, with Pakistan set targets of 299 off 37 overs, 270 off 27 and 262 off 25.

Play finally restarted with Pakistan moving to 48-4 after 12 overs, when rain again returned and sending players off, with them returning just in time for a final restart with Pakistan needing an impossible 234 off 20 overs to win, which they ended well short of.

Kapp was the star of the show, picking up 3-20 in five overs to go with her unbeaten half century, while Nondumiso Shangase, 2-19, and Ayabonga Khaka, 1-14, also picked up wickets.

A stellar all-around display from Marizanne Kapp! 👏

An unbeaten 68* off 43 balls with the bat and 3/20 in 5 overs with the ball. 💥

A complete performance that earns her the Aramco Player of the Match award. 🏅 #Unbreakable #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/HHiLSH8xVN

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 21, 2025

SA BATTERS DELIVER

At the start of the match, Pakistan won the toss and sent the Proteas in to bat, but it seemed to be the wrong call with the South Africans in a no-nonsense mood.

Wolvaardt top scored and was unlucky to miss out on a century, hitting two sixes and 10 fours in her 82-ball 90, while Luus backed her up at the top of the order with 61 off 59 balls (8x4; 2x6).

Kapp was brilliant down the back end, cracking an unbeaten 68 off 43 (6x4; 3x6), and De Klerk was at her brutal best hammering four sixes and three fours in her 41 off just 16.

Just two overs were possible at the start of the innings, which also saw the back of Tazmin Brits for a fourth-ball duck, as Fatima Sana got one to nip away and catch the edge, with Natalia Pervaiz completing the catch in the slips.

The rain then came down, chasing the players from the field, and after an over two-hour break they returned, the game having been reduced to 40-overs-a-side, with Wolvaardt and Luus immediately setting about a strong 118-run second wicket stand to set the platform.

Wolvaardt was initially the aggressor, before Luus, who had started slowly, took charge and moved ahead of her captain as both brought up their half centuries while pushing their side past 100, when Luus hit Nashra Sandhu straight to Diana Baig at extra cover with the score 123-2 after 17 overs.

That became 148-3 when Annerie Dercksen (9) was run out, bringing Kapp to the crease, and she shared in a 64-run partnership with Wolvaardt as the Proteas crossed 200.

Wolvaardt finally fell in the 31st over, coming down the wicket at Sandhu, but missed the ball that spun away, with wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz catching and whipping off the bails to send her on her way.

Karabo Meso edged Sandhu to Nawaz at the end of the over for a third-ball duck, with the score 212-5, while Chloe Tryon, 21 off 16 (3x4), knocked a few boundaries before edging Sadia Iqbal behind, leaving them on 253-6 after 36 overs.

It was then the De Klerk and Kapp show as they shared in a blitz 52-run stand off just 20 balls, followed by an action packed last over that saw a four, a six and three wickets to end a breathtaking first half of the match.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Karabo Meso (wk), Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

PAKISTAN: Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (capt), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Sri Lanka snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to record their first win of the Women's Cricket World Cup, edging out Bangladesh by seven runs in a nerve jangling finish in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

With Bangladesh cruising and only nine needed off the final over with five wickets in hand, having mustered just three runs off the penultimate over, skipper Chamari Athapaththu took the ball herself and turned the game on its head.

Four wickets tumbled in four balls as Bangladesh collapsed, losing five wickets for just two runs.

Athapaththu, calm amid the storm, finished with career-best figures of 4-42.

Brilliant spell by Chamari Athapaththu leads Sri Lanka Women to a thrilling 7-run victory💥🇱🇰#SLvBAN #CWC2025 pic.twitter.com/LN9wj6CaBG

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 20, 2025

The drama began with Rabeya Khan trapped leg-before off the first ball, followed by a run-out next delivery.

Then, Bangladesh's hopes sank when their captain Nigar Sultana danced down the track only to find long-off lurking.

When Marufa Akter was adjudged lbw next ball, Athapaththu had conjured the unthinkable, defending nine with a single run conceded in the over.

"We handled the pressure well. We knew that if we took the game deep, teams could crumble," Athapaththu said. "It wasn't perfect, batting collapses and dropped catches hurt us, but luck smiled at us today."

For once, fortune favoured Sri Lanka, whose campaign had been marred by rain, missed chances and misfiring batters.

Hasini Perera, who struck her maiden ODI half-century, made 85 off 99 balls, peppered with 13 fours and a six.

She was the backbone of Sri Lanka's 202 all out as she reached the milestone of 1 000 runs in ODIs.

Hasini Perera's resolute knock against Bangladesh set the base for Sri Lanka's thrilling win in #CWC25 👊

She wins the @aramco POTM award for her effort 👏 pic.twitter.com/FvTDrYzXT3

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 20, 2025

A 74-run partnership with Nilakshika de Silva gave Sri Lanka a solid launch pad, before another collapse saw six wickets fall for 28 run.

Even so, the Sri Lankans held their nerve in the death overs to seal the win and climb to sixth in the standings.

With four points, they are level with New Zealand and India, although will need results to go in their favour to grab the last semi-final spot.

Australia, South Africa and England have already booked their places in the last four.

"We kept losing wickets at crucial times," admitted Bangladesh skipper Sultana, whose fighting 77 was in vain as her side were eliminated.

"I tried to take the pressure off with a boundary, but it just didn't come off."

SRI LANKA: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya.

BANGLADESH: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Farzana Haque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter

Four-time champions England booked their ticket to the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup after pulling off a nail-biting four-run win over hosts India in Indore on Sunday.

England had posted a competitive 288-8 thanks to Heather Knight’s century and held their nerve in the field to defend it, despite their bowling, usually their strong suit, being a touch off colour.

India looked to be cruising towards victory, needing just 62 runs off the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand.

But the dismissal of Smriti Mandhana turned the tide, as scoreboard pressure crept in and dot balls piled up.

Soon after, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma departed in quick succession, leaving the tail high and dry.

Reckless batting cost India dear. Mandhana’s downfall opened the floodgates when she danced down the track to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith but failed to clear long-off.

Then, after reaching her half-century, Deepti Sharma perished trying to take on Sophie Ecclestone, a slog sweep that found deep mid-wicket to perfection.

From there, the writing was on the wall.

That winning feeling! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/x8dNNEM8hn

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 19, 2025

“We probably needed 300, but we did well to pull things back and I’m very happy. Didn’t contribute much in the last couple of games, so it felt good to come up with a match-winning hundred,” said Knight, whose classy 109 off 91 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six, was the backbone of England’s innings.

Heather Knight's fastest ODI century to date 👏

Queen. pic.twitter.com/ETXQQxMIUl

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 19, 2025

England’s openers gave them a brisk start with 73 runs for the first wicket before Knight joined captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in a 113-run stand that kept the scoreboard ticking.

At one stage, England looked set to go past 300, but Knight’s run out attempting a second run triggered a slowdown, as India tightened the screws and conceded only 74 runs in the final 10 overs.

Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets.

It was India’s third successive defeat leaving their next clash against New Zealand a virtual knockout.

With both teams locked on four points, it’s a case of do or die to stay in the hunt for the last semifinal berth, with Australia, England and South Africa already safely through.

England, meanwhile, have been clinical, through to the semis with two games in hand.

They sit second on the table with nine points, level with defending champions Australia, separated only by a whisker in Net Run Rate.

“Not sure how we lost this game. We had it in the bag. We’ve worked so hard and when the last five overs slip away from you, it’s heartbreaking. This is the third straight game we’ve lost after coming so close,” lamented India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.

ENGLAND: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

Colombo's wet spell showed no signs of letting up as the Women's World Cup fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand was washed out at R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

It was deja vu in the Sri Lankan capital as a fourth game in the tournament had to be abandoned due to rain, while several others have been stop-start affairs thanks to the fickle Colombo skies.

The previous day's contest between Sri Lanka and South Africa was reduced to 20 overs and, despite the tireless work of the ground staff, only 25 overs were possible in the Pakistan–New Zealand encounter.

Put in to bat, Pakistan never found their rhythm and limped to 92-5 when the heavens opened once again.

The players dashed indoors as lightning flashed across the skyline and match officials advised the ground staff to steer clear of the field.

Earlier, Pakistan had been 52-3 when the first interruption arrived and play resumed with the game trimmed to 46 overs. But there was to be no resumption after the second rain break.

"We were in a decent position and we were waiting for the rain to stop. This is disappointing as you wait for four years to play a World Cup. It's a real shame. Now we have to win both our remaining games," New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said.

For New Zealand, both their Colombo games were abandoned due to rain with their earlier encounter against Sri Lanka also being affected.

The White Ferns now have four points, level with India, though the latter occupy fourth spot courtesy of a superior Net Run Rate and have a game in hand.

Pakistan, meanwhile, remain winless, three defeats and two no-results tell the sorry tale of their campaign.

New Zealand's attack made early inroads, with seamers Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu hitting the right areas to deliver the initial breakthroughs.

The spinners then tightened the screws, with Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson sharing the spoils.

The White Ferns were razor-sharp in the field too. Veteran Suzie Bates plucked a stunner at mid-wicket to send back opener Muneeba Ali (22), while Carson threw herself full length at point to pouch Sidra Amin (nine).

"We were looking at something like 180. We know we have some good spinners and we could have put press

NEW ZEALAND: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

PAKISTAN: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.

The skies over Colombo may have threatened to wash out the game, but Laura Wolvaardt brought the sunshine with a captain’s knock that lit up South Africa’s chase against Sri Lanka.

After a five-hour rain delay turned the ICC Women’s World Cup clash into a 20-over shootout, Wolvaardt adapted instantly. With the mindset of a T20 opener, she crafted a flawless 60 off 49 balls*, guiding South Africa to a 10-wicket win with partner Tazmin Brits (55*). Their 125-run stand was a statement of intent, executed with calm precision and aggressive flair.

Laura Wolvaardt shows the way with a fiery, unbeaten fifty in South Africa’s successful chase over Sri Lanka 👏

She wins the @aramco POTM 🎖️#CWC25 | #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/a0r69WL0GB

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 17, 2025

“We just treated it like a T20 game,” Wolvaardt said post-match. “It was frustrating sitting out for hours, but once we got going, we wanted to get ahead early and not leave it late.”

Her innings was a blend of timing, placement, and leadership—especially crucial given South Africa’s previous struggles with opening partnerships. This time, she led from the front, ensuring no late drama and securing two vital points that pushed the Proteas closer to the semifinals.

South Africa have one foot in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup after opening pair Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits produced a sparkling display, demolishing co-hosts Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in Colombo on Friday.

The Proteas cruised to a faultless pursuit of a revised 121 victory target, with 31 balls to spare of their shortened 20-over innings, moving up to second place on the log, a point behind already-qualified Australia.

A win over Pakistan at the same venue on Tuesday would seal the deal for Wolvaardt’s side. The result also leaves winless Sri Lanka staring down the barrel of an early tournament exit, with home advantage counting for little at the rain-ravaged R Premadasa Stadium.

Captain Wolvaardt was delighted to put her side’s top-order troubles to one side, saying: “In a World Cup, it's a bit different, a lot of preparation as a captain. But when I'm out there, I'm just watching the ball and trying to hit it as well as I can.

“We haven't had the best tournament as an opening pair, so it was great to put on a 100-run stand.”

The skipper used her feet smartly from the off, breaking cover from her crease to disrupt the opening pair of Sugandika Kumari and Malki Madara as she negated some hooping swing and skid off the pitch in muggy conditions.

Kavisha Dilhari summed up her nation’s luckless night, pinning Brits on the crease with her first delivery, only for the umpire’s call to save the 34-year-old on review after the original appeal was turned down. Being slapped back over her head for four the very next ball hardly helped, either.

The South African pair snapped straight back into their rhythm, and they broke the back of their chase in the 13th over.

COMPOSURE AND CONFIDENCE

First, Wolvaardt turned a full Kaveesha delivery into a full toss, caning it through cover for four, before repeating the dose through midwicket to bring up her second half-century of the competition. It had taken just 41 balls and thrust her side into the home straight, before Brits joined the party with a pair of booming boundaries of her own down the ground.

And she saved the best for last, crashing her second six of the evening over the ropes to bring up her own 50 and seal victory with more than five overs to spare.

Defeated captain Chamari Athapaththu was phlegmatic about another damaging day for her charges, adding: “The ball was too hard to grip, especially for the spinners. And we are dependent on spin, so we struggled. These kinds of things happened in the middle, unfortunately.

“As a team, we'll stick with our plans in the next game. As a team, we have to play positive and fearless cricket, and we need to take the smart options as a batting unit."

Torrential rain has blighted the World Cup co-hosts throughout the round-robin phase and it was no different here, with the sides earlier forced off for over five hours in what began to look like another lost cause in the Sri Lankan capital.

Having won the toss and elected to bat despite their opponents’ chasing prowess, Sri Lanka had earlier made it to 46-2 when the weather closed in after 12 overs. Masabata Klass claimed both wickets after Vishmi Gunaratne had retired hurt.

A long-awaited return then saw them limp to 105-7, as Nonkululeko Mlaba continued her impressive tournament with a three-wicket haul. It set the Proteas up for what could have been a nervy chase given the state of the log, the soggy conditions and a final-game date with favourites Australia looming, but Wolvaardt and Brits blew it out of the water.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserves: Miane Smit

SRI LANKA: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya. Reserve: Inoshi Fernando

Nonkululeko Mlaba has highlighted the importance of the Proteas Women’s recent experience of playing in Colombo ahead of their fifth league-phase match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka in the capital city on Friday.

South Africa’s clash with the home side will get under way at 3pm local time (11:30am SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201).

The Proteas have enjoyed a thrilling run in the tournament so far. After suffering a defeat to England in their opening match, they bounced back with impressive victories over New Zealand, hosts India and Bangladesh.

These results have lifted them to third place on the log standings, with three matches remaining before the knockout stages.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Mlaba emphasized the value of the Proteas Women’s one-day international (ODI) Tri-Series, featuring Sri Lanka and India, which took place in May this year at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“As a team, we kind of know the players, especially for me as a bowler, I know for certain players where to bowl and where’s their strengths and weaknesses, so it was very important for me to know their players.

“It’s my second time playing here because we had the Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and India. It’s always good to come back. Hopefully this time around, I will do well for the team,” the left-arm spinner noted.

'SIMPLE STRATEGY'

When it comes to the head-to-head record between the two sides, South Africa hold a strong advantage over Sri Lanka in ODI cricket, having won 16 of their 25 previous encounters.

However, the Sri Lankans have found success in recent meetings, winning two of the last three matches.

This includes a memorable record chase in the final ODI during their tour of South Africa in 2024, as well as a five-wicket victory in their first match of aforementioned Tri-Series before the Proteas responded strongly in the second fixture in Colombo, winning by 76 runs.

Discussing her approach to the spin-friendly conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium and the team’s focus ahead of this crucial contest, Mlaba said she aims to keep her strategy simple, a mindset that has already helped her claim eight wickets in the tournament so far, while ensuring the team doesn’t underestimate their opponents.

“It’s just (about) doing the one thing that I do best; sticking to my good lines and length, and the rest will take care of itself.

"Every team is very hard to play against. We have played against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series and also played against them at home, and they beat us in the few games. They definitely have a good team; their spinners are very good and (Chamari) Athapaththu, herself, is gun for the team.

“So we don’t undermine any team, and we just play our own game and try our best to win,” she added.

Proteas Women Squad - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday, 17 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 2 (Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 02 November at 11h30 - Final (TBC)

**All times are SAST

Skipper Alyssa Healy hit an unbeaten 113, her second century in a row, as holders Australia booked their spot in the semifinals of the Women's World Cup with a crushing 10-wicket win over Bangladesh on Thursday.

Healy and fellow opener Phoebe Litchfield, unbeaten on 84, hardly put a foot wrong as Australia romped home to their victory target of 199 with 25.1 overs to spare in Visakhapatnam.

With a fourth win in five matches - the other was washed out - seven-time champions Australia become the first team to secure a final-four berth in the 50-over marquee tournament.

Australia are the first team to qualify for the #CWC25 semi-finals 🇦🇺💥#SSCricket | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/S6flXpB8CN

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 16, 2025

The left-handed Litchfield hit Fariha Trisna for two successive fours to bring up the win as they reached 202-0 in 24.5 overs.

Australia have two matches left to play in the league stage, including a key clash with rivals England next week and a surprised Healy came to know about the semifinal qualification in the post-match presentation.

"We pride ourselves in professionalism, we played well today to get the two points, we'll come back and be prepared for the next match as well," said Healy.

"I didn't know we have made the semifinals."

Wicketkeeper-batter Healy raised her second successive ton after her heroics in the previous win over co-hosts India when the captain's 142 made Australia chase down 331.

She hammered 20 boundaries from her 77-ball knock while Litchfield struck 12 boundaries and a six as she raised her eighth ODI fifty.

Back-to-back 💯s at #CWC25 for Australia skipper Alyssa Healy 🫡

Watch #AUSvBAN LIVE in your region, broadcast details here ➡️ https://t.co/ULC9AuHifh pic.twitter.com/hIXLuRy8tZ

— ICC (@ICC) October 16, 2025

Australia's spinners set up the victory after they kept Bangladesh down to 198-9 in their 50 overs after electing to bat first, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King and Georgia Wareham all taking two wickets each.

Sobhana Mostary hit a defiant unbeaten 66 to make Bangladesh play out their full quota of overs after they slipped to 165-9 in the 46th over but it wasn't enough to test the Australians.

Opener Rubya Haider handed Bangladesh a strong start with her solid 44 as Bangladesh lost their first wicket in the ninth over to pace spearhead Megan Schutt.

Rubya hit eight fours before she slogged Gardner to mid-on. Sharmin Akhter followed suit at which point leg-spinners King and Wareham made further inroads.

Skipper Nigar Sultana was stumped off King, who was named player of the match, and the rest of the batting faltered with only Mostary showing grit.

Alana King's magnificent outing with the ball wins her the @aramco POTM award 👏#AUSvBAN #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/krWGVMtUQV

— ICC (@ICC) October 16, 2025

"In these conditions we should get more runs," said Nigar. "Not being consistent as a batting unit cost us."

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Alyssa Healy (C)(WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.

BANGLADESH WOMEN: Rubya Haider, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty (C)(WK), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Mst Ritu Moni, Nishita Akter Nishi, Fariha Trisna.

The Women's World Cup has achieved record viewing figures with 60 million fans having already tuned in to watch the first 13 one-day matches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.

This is the first women's tournament where the prize money is more than the previous men's ODI World Cup, boasting an overall purse of $13.88 million.

The 13th edition of the women's showpiece 50-over tournament, which started last month in India and Sri Lanka, has eight teams competing for the title to be awarded after the final on 2 November.

"According to data released jointly by ICC and JioHotstar, the first 13 matches of the tournament have already reached over 60 million viewers, a five-fold increase over the 2022 edition," the ICC said.

A key clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on 5 October in Colombo became the most-watched women's international match ever with 28.4 million viewers, the ICC said.

Defending champions Australia are eyeing a record eighth Women's World Cup and hosts India are in hunt for their maiden title.

Pakistan are playing all their matches in Colombo as part of a compromise deal that allows both India and Pakistan to play at neutral venues in multi-nation tournaments.

Pakistan were denied a shock victory over England when their Women's World Cup match was washed out as Colombo continued to be drenched by unrelenting monsoon showers on Wednesday.

Pakistan, rooted to the bottom of the points table and still searching for their first win in the eight-nation tournament, were left cursing their luck after putting England through the wringer with a brilliant bowling display that restricted the four-time champions to 133-9 in a game reduced to 31 overs.

Chasing a revised target of 113, Pakistan's openers looked in fine touch, coasting to 34-0 in 6.4 overs, before the heavens opened once more and the game was abandoned at 9:58pm local time.

Rain has the final say in Colombo 🌧️

Pakistan impressed with the ball and made a fine start to the chase before bad weather intervened.#PAKvENG | #CWC25 | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/4JPd0fKH1o

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 15, 2025

Pakistan's bowlers had their tails up from the outset, with captain Fatima Sana leading from the front.

She swung the ball into the batters and picked up three early wickets before returning after the rain break to snare another, finishing with eye-catching figures of 4-27.

"We showed today that we can beat any team. Disappointed about the rain. We were really good with the ball and the bat and we would have been happy with a win," Sana said.

4️⃣-2️⃣7️⃣

Pakistan captain @imfatimasana registers the best bowling figures for a 🇵🇰 pacer in a Women's World Cup game ©️✨#PAKvENG | #CWC25 | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/EyJurAZiK9

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 15, 2025

It was the wicked inswinger that undid England's top order, as four wickets tumbled to seamers, leaving the defending champions in dire straits at 39-4.

Diana Baig drew first blood by rattling Tammy Beaumont's stumps, while Sana bowled Amy Jones through the gate with a brute of a delivery before removing Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt in quick succession with deliveries that jagged back sharply.

The spinners then tightened the screws, mopping up the middle order to ensure the seamers' hard work didn't go to waste.

Play was initially halted with England teetering at 79-7 after 25 overs.

When play resumed, Charlie Dean and Em Arlott offered some resistance, adding 47 runs for the eighth wicket.

England's tail added 54 runs in six overs to give their bowlers something to bowl at, but Pakistan were well ahead when the skies opened again.

England had never lost to Pakistan in 16 previous ODIs and it needed bad weather to preserve that record.

It was the third rain-affected game in Colombo this World Cup after Australia and Sri Lanka split points without a ball bowled and Sri Lanka's fixture against New Zealand also ended in a washout on Monday.

"Pakistan were top today and they never let us come back into the game. We fought back in the end, but we were not good enough. It was seaming quite a lot and we didn't adapt well," England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said.

ENGLAND: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

PAKISTAN: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has delivered a thrilling showcase of talent, resilience, and record-breaking performances. 

With the group stages heating up, South Africa’s national women’s team has emerged as one of the tournament’s most compelling stories—bouncing back from early disappointment to secure three consecutive victories and a strong position on the points table.

AUSTRALIA SETS THE PACE

Australia stunned the cricketing world with a historic chase of 331 against India—the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history. Alyssa Healy’s explosive 142 off 107 balls led the charge, supported by Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. Annabel Sutherland’s five-wicket haul earlier in the match kept India’s batting in check.

Grit. Determination. Ridiculously high level of skill.

A Beth Mooney masterclass! 💯 #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/hOSndlqdHl

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) October 8, 2025

ENGLAND’S UNBEATEN RUN

England remains undefeated, with Nat Sciver-Brunt scoring her fifth World Cup century and Sophie Ecclestone dominating with the ball. Their most commanding win came against South Africa, bowling out the Proteas for just 69 runs—one of South Africa’s lowest totals in ODI history.

The most precious celebration 🥹👶 pic.twitter.com/txgwMNNSLN

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 11, 2025

INDIA’S INCONSISTENCY

India has shown flashes of brilliance, with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but their campaign has been marred by inconsistency. A dramatic loss to South Africa highlighted vulnerabilities in their middle order and death bowling.

SOUTH AFRICA’S COMEBACK STORY

After a crushing defeat to England, South Africa regrouped and delivered three back-to-back wins:

VICTORY VS NEW ZEALAND: A disciplined performance restored confidence.

THRILLER VS INDIA:  Captain Laura Wolvaardt scored 70, while Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off 59 balls sealed the win with a six in the final over.

CLUTCH WIN VS BANGLADESH: Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon rescued the innings from 78/5, and de Klerk once again finished the match with a six, showcasing nerves of steel.

RANKING SURGE

Laura Wolvaardt rose to joint-fourth in ODI batting rankings.

Nonkululeko Mlaba entered the top 10 bowlers with 8 wickets.

Chloe Tryon broke into the top 10 allrounders list.

CAPTAIN’S STATEMENT

“We’ve shown that we can bounce back from tough situations. The belief in the squad is strong, and we’re playing for each other.” said South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt.

With momentum on their side and match-winners stepping up under pressure, South Africa is not just chasing a semifinal berth—they’re chasing history.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand were forced to share points in their Women's World Cup fixture after heavy rain had the final say in Colombo on Tuesday, washing out play after the innings break.

The hosts had done the hard yards, posting a competitive 258-6 and fancying their chances with a spin heavy attack on a pitch tailor made for the slow bowlers. The total was also the highest in the Colombo leg of the competition so far.

The innings belonged to lower order dynamo Nilakshika Silva, who threw caution to the wind to smash the fastest half-century of this World Cup.

Coming in at No 6, she turned the tide with a whirlwind knock, reaching her fifty in just 26 balls, bettering the previous mark of 34 deliveries set by Bangladesh's Shorna Akter earlier in the week.

It was also a new Sri Lankan record, eclipsing Nilakshika's own milestone of 28 balls.

It was her fourth half-century in ODIs and she crossed the 1 000 run mark in the process, becoming only the eighth Sri Lankan to do so.

For once, the hosts didn't have to lean solely on Chamari Athapaththu's broad shoulders.

However, the skipper returned to form with her 20th ODI fifty and stitched together an opening stand of 101 with Vishmi Gunaratne, who made a fluent 42.

That solid foundation allowed Hasini Perera (44) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26) to consolidate before Nilakshika's late fireworks took the innings from steady to sizzling.

Sri Lanka plundered 80 runs in the last 10 overs, with 16 coming off the final over as they finished with a flourish.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine picked up three wickets, but may have missed a trick by under bowling left-armer Bree Illing, who extracted lively bounce and pace to claim two scalps in just seven overs.

The Kiwis will stay put in Colombo to face Pakistan on Saturday while Sri Lanka take on an in-form South Africa on Friday.

Allrounder Nadine de Klerk was the hero again as she slammed the Proteas Women to a nail-biting three-wicket win over Bangladesh in their World Cup clash at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

De Klerk followed up her heroics against India a few days ago with another key hand as she hammered an unbeaten 37 off 29 balls (4x4; 1x6), finishing the match in style again with a six, with just three balls remaining.

It was a terrific fightback from the Proteas. After being set 233 to win, they found themselves in all sorts of trouble on 78 for five, only for Chloe Tryon, 62 off 69 (6x4; 1x6), and Marizanne Kapp, 56 off 71 (4x4; 1x6), to drag them back into the contest with an 85-run sixth wicket partnership.

However both fell in the closing overs, leaving Masabata Klaas (10no) to importantly stick in with De Klerk in a match-winning, unbeaten 37-run stand to get them over the line.

“The nerves are shot. That was a lot closer than we would have liked, but I am glad we got the points in the end,” admitted a relieved-looking Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt after the match.

“We tried to stay as patient as we could (in Bangladesh’s innings). We thought the slower bowlers were working quite well, so we tried to bowl the slowest bowlers that we had and really tried to stay patient and not leave the stumps.

“Kappie and Chloe were absolutely amazing (in the chase). It wasn’t the start that we would have wanted, lost wickets early, but that partnership got us back into the game and Nadine finished it again at the end there.”

Earlier, the Proteas' chase got off to a disastrous start as opener Tazmin Brits fell for a second straight duck, chipping her first ball straight back to bowler Nahida Akter at the start of the second over, with the score 3 for one.

Nadine shines again! Her WPL price could rise big ahead of the mega auction📈💎. #SAvBAN #WWC2025 pic.twitter.com/VOzs83jDDV

— Uma Mahesh (@CricketByMahesh) October 13, 2025

Wolvaardt (31) and Anneke Bosch (28) then combined for a solid 55-run second wicket stand to get them up and running.

But a poor mix-up between the batters saw Wolvaardt run out at the end of the 15th over, which sparked a collapse of four wickets for 20 runs, as Bosch, Annerie Dercksen (2) and Sinalo Jafta (4) all followed in quick succession, as they tumbled to 78 for five at the start of the 23rd over.

That brought Tryon in to join Kapp, and they set about rebuilding the innings and setting up the platform for them to fire from down the back straight.

It was good stuff from the two senior players, as they eased their side past 100 and to 150 after 39 overs, although at that stage Bangladesh had dried up the boundaries and put the pressure back on the South Africans.

Kapp finally released the shackles in the 40th over, launching a full toss from Shorna Akter off the first ball for six to reach her 50 in style, and with 11 coming off it, but she fell in the next over, mistiming Nahida Akter to Shorna Akter at long off, leaving the South Africans on 163 for six.

The 44th over proved to be a vital one, as Tryon smashed the first ball from Rebeya Khan straight to sub fielder Sumaiaa Akter at deep midwicket, only for her to drop the ball for four, which also brought up her fifty, followed by Tryon cracking the next ball for six, and a four a few balls later as 16 came off the over.

Tryon was, however, run out in the 45th over, which piled the pressure back on the Proteas, but De Klerk and Klaas held their nerve, aided by Shorna Akter dropping De Klerk in the 49th over, which proved hugely costly in the end.

𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐄 𝐊𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐇 😏💥

South Africa's lethal weapon keeps delivering 🇿🇦👏#HereForHer | #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/vbmFtMhWNq

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 13, 2025

LATE ASSAULT FROM AKTER

At the start of the match, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat, before reaching a defendable 232 for six in their 50 overs thanks to a brilliant late assault from Shorna Akter.

Akter slammed the quickest half-century by a Bangladesh player, hammering three sixes and three fours on her way to an unbeaten 51 off 35 balls, while 50 off 77 (6x4) from Sharmin Akhter, and a quickfire unbeaten 19 off eight (3x4) from Ritu Moni, also helped them to the decent total.

The Proteas bowlers and fielders will be disappointed with their finish to the innings, after Bangladesh were only able to score 73 runs over the first 25 overs, but crashed 82 off the final 10, which set them a much stiffer target than they would have expected after 40 overs.

The Bangladesh innings got off to a slow start as openers Fargana Hoque (30) and Rubya Haider (25) combined for a 53-run opening stand off 16.1 overs, before spinner Tryon made the breakthrough, as Haider miscued her to De Klerk at mid on.

That brought Akhter in, and she added 20 runs with Hoque, before the opener was pinned LBW by Nonkululeko Mlaba, leaving them on 73 for two exactly halfway through the innings.

Captain Nigar Sultana, 32 off 42 (5x4) and Akhter then combined for an important 77-run third-wicket partnership at a decent rate, to set the platform for their late-innings flourish.

They took their side past the hundred-run mark and to 150, before Sultana tried to hit Mlaba past Wolvaardt at cover, but the Proteas captain superbly snatched the ball out of the air.

The final 10 overs were then the Shorna Akter show, as she launched the Proteas all around the park, and despite a few wickets falling, a fantastic flurry in the last three overs, along with Moni, saw 37 come off them.

For the Proteas bowlers, Mlaba was again the pick of the lot, picking up 2-42 in her 10 overs, while Tryon, 1-41, and De Klerk, 1-39, also snagged a scalp each.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klass, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune

BANGLADESH: Rubya Haider, Farzana Haque, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter

Defending champions Australia chased down a mammoth 331 to beat India by three wickets with an over to spare in a pulsating Women's World Cup clash in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

It was the highest successful run chase in the history of women's ODIs.

At the halfway mark, India were sitting pretty, having piled up their highest-ever World Cup total of 330 all out. But Alyssa Healy had other ideas.

The Australian skipper unleashed a stunning exhibition of strokeplay, cracking 142 off 107 balls in a knock that will go down among the finest in tournament history.

Her innings, laced with 21 fours and three sixes, set up the record chase and rewrote the history books, eclipsing Sri Lanka's previous best of 302 against South Africa in Potchefstroom in 2024.

Healy was in control from the outset, racing to her half-century in just 35 balls, the fastest fifty of this tournament, before bringing up her sixth ODI hundred, her first as captain.

"Very proud of the team. It looked like 360 at one stage. We identified which bowlers to target and adapted beautifully," Healy said.

Captain Alyssa Healy led from the front as Australia pulled off a record chase against India at #CWC25 ✨

Watch Highlights 🎥⬇️https://t.co/JY7kRvV1SL

— ICC (@ICC) October 12, 2025

After her dismissal, Australia wobbled briefly, losing a couple of quick wickets, but with the required rate under control, panic never set in.

The ever-reliable Ellyse Perry held the lower order together.

Battling cramps, she returned to the crease in the dying moments after earlier retiring hurt and finished the job in style, dancing down the track to loft Sneh Rana straight down the ground for the winning six.

Earlier, India's openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana had set the stage alight, adding 155 off 24.3 overs in a rollicking start.

Tonight didn’t go our way, but the heart was all there. 🙌

Proud of our girls and trusting them to come back stronger than ever! 💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/DUXllSOz9K

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 12, 2025

Mandhana, all grace and timing, reached a personal milestone, crossing 5000 career runs in ODIs, becoming only the second Indian and the fifth overall to do so. She is also the fastest to the milestone.

But from 294 for four, India's innings nosedived as they lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs, bowled out in 48.5 overs, a collapse that cost them dearly.

"We could have easily scored 30 more runs. The last six overs cost us the game," lamented Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

For Australia, Annabel Sutherland gave herself the perfect birthday gift, a maiden five-wicket haul on the day she turned 24.

Seamer Tumi Sekhukhune has emphasised the Proteas Women’s focus ahead of their fourth ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 encounter against Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The contest will get underway at 15h00 local time (11h30 SAST) at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Cricket (Ch. 212).

South Africa bounced back emphatically from their opening defeat to England, securing crucial victories over New Zealand and hosts India to climb into the semifinal positions with four matches remaining in the league phase.

Speaking ahead of the important clash against the Tigresses, Sekhukhune made it clear that despite the positive atmosphere in the Proteas camp following their recent performances, the team remains grounded and fully determined to face the challenges ahead.

“The team is super excited. We're looking forward to all these other games. We take the win (against India), but we don't want to dwell on the win; we want to focus on the other matches, as they are as important as the ones that we played,” she noted.

When it comes to the head-to-head record between the two sides, South Africa have won 18 of their 21 encounters against Bangladesh, including a 2–1 one-day international series victory during the Tigresses’ last white-ball tour to South Africa in December 2023.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match, Sekhukhune acknowledged the threat posed by Bangladesh, particularly in subcontinental conditions.

“It's going to be a very tough game for us against Bangladesh. We know that they're going to come with more slow bowlers, typically the spinners. We said as a team that we want to take it one step at a time, one ball at a time. We just want to keep ticking all the boxes that we know we didn't do well in the previous games.

“If we do that, then hopefully we'll come out on the better side,” the right-arm pace bowler added.

Two wins in, and the hunger continues to grow.

Riding the momentum of a thrilling win over the India Women, #TheProteas Women turn their attention to the next challenge against the Bangladesh Women as our #CWC25 campaign rolls on. 🇿🇦💪#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/lC6kfHrLl4

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 10, 2025

Sekhukhune featured for the first time in this year’s World Cup during South Africa’s dramatic win over India, returning figures of one for 27 in seven overs, finishing as the side’s second-most economical bowler behind Chloé Tryon’s return of three for 32 from 10 overs.

Reflecting on her role within the bowling attack, the 26-year-old praised the strength and experience of her teammates, highlighting how it allows her to bowl to her strengths.

“It's very nice to play with such exceptional bowlers. They have so much experience. With me coming in, I just want to restrict the runs. I don't want to focus much on getting wickets. I just want to come in, do what I can do, and be consistent in bowling my lines and lengths.

“And yeah, if I do pick up wickets here and there, then it's a win for me, but mostly it's to restrict the runs,” she concluded.

PROTEAS WOMEN'S SQUAD: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 & Pakistan Tour

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Thursday, 09 October at 11h30 - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 2 (Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 02 November at 11h30 - Final (TBC)

**All times are SAST