Lanning ton leads Aussies past South Africa in a saunter

Meg Lanning has led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten 135 to guide Australia to a comfortable five-wicket victory over second-ranked South Africa to continue her side's unbeaten World Cup run.

Laura Wolvaardt starred with 91 to help the Proteas to 5-271, but their hopes of claiming a history-making first win over Australia were dashed by Lanning's 130-ball innings, as she powered her team to victory with 28 balls to spare.

The win all-but confirms Australia will finish the round robin stage on the top of the table, with one match to come against Bangladesh.

Their hopes of defending the score rested largely on fiery new-ball pair Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp, and it was the former who struck the early blow, enticing Alyssa Healy (5) to swipe at a wide one, only to edge behind to wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty.

Rachael Haynes picked up where she had left off during what has been a standout tournament for the 35-year-old, and was left kicking herself when she was brilliantly caught by a leaping Mignon du Preez off a Chloe Tryon full toss for 17.

With Ellyse Perry unable to bat at her usual No.4 position after being off the field for the majority of the Australian fielding innings due to a back injury, Beth Mooney (21) was elevated and she too looked comfortable at the crease, only to be caught short by a direct hit from Tumi Sekhukhune, trying to make her ground having been sent back after taking off for a tight single.

Lanning, the best chaser in the women's game, was the rock at the other end.

Her fifty came off 56 deliveries as she dealt in cut shots – almost toying with the multiple fielders South Africa placed at point – and cleared the boundary with an effortless flick off her toes.

After falling three runs short of three figures against India on Saturday, there was no denying the Australian captain at the Basin Reserve, as she raced to triple figures from just 91 balls.

Lanning's 15th ODI hundred was her 10th in a run chase and saw her enter an elite group of just five players to have hit centuries at three consecutive World Cups.

At the other end, Tahlia McGrath was dropped on six and again on 24 and added another eight to her tally before Ismail was finally rewarded for her strong display with the ball, with the allrounder caught for 32 in the 33rd over.

Image Id: C67334A041314336A875B625216C8F79 Image Caption: Meg Lanning, the queen of the chase // Getty

Ismail should have been on a hat-trick, and Ashleigh Gardner should have been out first ball, but the thick edge flew through the hands of Lizelle Lee at slip and raced to the boundary.

The fumbles continued as Australia closed in on victory, with Lanning dropped on 115, 123 and 132, and while Gardner fell for 22 with 31 runs still required, Annabel Sutherland joined her skipper to seal victory.

Perry had been available to bat despite the back soreness but was not called upon and will be carefully watched ahead of the business end of the tournament.

Earlier, Wolvaardt's run of form at the World Cup continued as she hit her fourth consecutive half-century after being sent in to bat.

Image Id: 53FE731252B742BC974260F752FFEC67 Image Caption: Ismail bowled without luck for South Africa // Getty

With tearaway Australia quick Darcie Brown sitting out the match and Perry struggling to find her line in her three opening overs, Wolvaardt and Lee were able to settle.

The highest opening partnership against Australia at this tournament prior to Tuesday's game was 22, but the Proteas pair frustrated their attack for 19.4 overs, putting on 88 runs before leg-spinner Alana King – the seventh bowler used by Lanning – had the dangerous Lee out lbw for 36.

Lara Goodall started positively in her return to the side after replacing Tazmin Brits at No.3, but she was removed on 15 from 29 balls, caught off the bowling of Sutherland.

Sune Luus joined her close mate Wolvaardt and the in-form pair formed another productive partnership, with the South Africa skipper reaching fifty from just 48 balls.

On her way to her own half-century, Wolvaardt broke her own record from 2017 for the most runs scored by a Protea at a women's World Cup, but her dream of a century at this tournament remained unfulfilled after she was well caught by a running McGrath at long off on 90.

Image Id: 5E5EB7C50B4B4650A65A9B26B01A5609 Image Caption: Australia celebrate Gardner's spectacular catch // Getty

It ended their 91-run third-wicket stand, and Luus holed out soon after for 52.

Du Preez, who had been searching for form, looked to have found it as she quickly put on 14 runs from 12 balls, but she was forced to depart when Gardner pulled off a remarkable one-handed catch on the boundary to intercept what looked a certain six.

But Kapp (30no from 22) and Tryon (17no from 9) stayed busy, putting on 43 runs from the final four overs to help their side to 5-271.

Australia will remain in Wellington ahead of their final round robin match against Bangladesh on Friday, while South Africa play West Indies (Thursday) and India (Sunday) in two matches that will shape the final four.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports