Lanning out, Australia elect to bat

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Stand-in Australia skipper Rachael Haynes has won the toss and elected to bat in the final group match of the World Cup against South Africa at Taunton, in England's west.

The defending champions were dealt a blow when captain – and star batter – Meg Lanning was ruled out of the clash due to the ongoing management of her chronic shoulder injury.

The inclusion of Haynes was the only change for the Australians, while for South Africa, Chloe Tryon has made way for Moseline Daniels.

Lanning also missed Australia's clash against Pakistan on July 5 and has been dealing with the complaint for some time.

Coach Matthew Mott revealed earlier this month that the plan had been for Lanning to be sidelined for at least one match during the World Cup, with Australia scheduled to play seven games in 20 days before the knockout phase.

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Lanning's misfortune means Rachael Haynes – the only specialist batter outside of Australia's first choice XI – will come into the line-up and captain the side for the second time in the tournament.

Haynes' previous appearance in this tournament saw her make 28 when she was called up to replace Lanning against Pakistan.

The decision for Lanning to sit out the clash against South Africa was made as part of the ongoing management of her injury and she will be assessed daily going forward.

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"We've been managing (Meg) for the last couple of months, the shoulder's been giving her a bit of grief," Mott said earlier this month.

"We always envisaged that she was going to miss a game or two through the tournament, we're just trying to manage the shoulder through.

"It was a conservative decision, I think she'll be fine going forward."

Despite her injury, Lanning is Australia's leading run-scorer this tournament, with 328 runs from five innings at a remarkable average of 109.33.

The world's No.1 batter peeled off an unbeaten 152 against Sri Lanka, 76 not out against India, 48 against New Zealand and 40 against England to underline her class.

"She's a trooper," Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said of Lanning this week.

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"She's been doing unbelievably well for a fairly long period of time.

"She's our leader and it's nice to have her on the park.

"She can smack a 70-odd with one arm, unbelievable player. And hopefully we can get her through to the end of the World Cup."

While South Africa and Australia have both stamped their tickets to the semi-finals, the match in Taunton is significant given both teams are on a collision course for a semi-final rematch for a berth in the tournament decider.

Australia have lost just one match for the tournament – against England by three runs on July 9 – and sit second on the table behind their conquerors.

Australia XI: Mooney, Bolton, Haynes (c), Perry, Villani, Blackwell, Healy (wk), Gardner, Jonassen, Schutt, Beams

South Africa XI: Wolvaardt, Lee, Chetty (wk), du Preez, Kapp, van Niekerk (c), Luus, Ismail, Khaka, Klaas, Daniels

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Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

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