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.

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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

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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

Australia produced a brilliant bowling display in the latter stages, bowling India out for 330 in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash.

 

Smriti Mandhana topscored for India with Pratika Rawal providing solid support during their commanding opening stand. However, once the duo departed, India lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from 294/5 to 330 all out.

Annabel Sutherland (5/40) starred with the ball, claiming a superb five-wicket haul, while Sophie Molineux (3/75) chipped in with key breakthroughs. Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt also picked up a wicket each.

India’s innings had its share of highs and lows. Mandhana and Rawal set the tone with a commanding 150-run partnership for the first wicket, the highest opening stand against Australia in the tournament’s history.

Mandhana led the charge with a blistering 80 off 66 balls, an innings laced with nine fours and six sixes, while Rawal too played a strong innings with a composed 75 featuring 10 boundaries. Both registered their first half-centuries of the tournament with Mandhana also becoming the youngest and fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs.

The first breakthrough came when Sophie Molineux dismissed Mandhana, breaking the big partnership before Annabel Sutherland removed Rawal. From there, India lost two quick wickets, as Harmanpreet Kaur fell to Megan Schutt and Harleen Deol, who also crossed 1000 ODI runs, was dismissed by Molineux.

Despite the setback, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues provided late fireworks, adding a lively 50-run stand with their explosive cameos. However, once the duo departed, there was little India could do despite being well-placed at 294/5.

Watch Pratika Rawal bring up her half-century with a beautiful straight drive in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and Australia.

Earlier, Australia captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and elected to bowl first at the ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium.

With both teams having played three games apiece, Australia have won two and have a no-result to their name, while hosts India have two wins and a loss to their name. The teams are currently placed second and third respectively in the standings, just below England who topped the tally with their third successive win of the tournament over Sri Lanka the other night.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy calls it right at the toss and elects to field first against India at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

Australia kickstarted their campaign with a hefty win over the Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand. While their next encounter against Sri Lanka was a washout, the Alyssa Healy-led side notched another big win against Pakistan in their third outing.

India on the other hand, enjoyed successive wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan to begin their tournament. However, their unbeaten run would come to an end against the Proteas, who pulled a miraculous win in Visakhapatnam.

Sanjana Ganesan previews the exciting ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and Australia.

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INDIA WOMEN: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani.

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Alyssa Healy (C/WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (In for Georgia Wareham), Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.

England stamped their authority on the Women's World Cup with a commanding 89-run win over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday, powered by a classy hundred from Nat Sciver-Brunt and a masterful spell of spin from Sophie Ecclestone.

Put in to bat, England wobbled early but Sciver-Brunt soaked up the pressure well and anchored the innings with a chanceless century to steer her side to a strong 253 for nine.

Sri Lanka, in reply, were never in the hunt and folded tamely for 164 as Ecclestone spun a web around their batters.

Dropped on three, England skipper Sciver-Brunt made the hosts pay a heavy price.

After a watchful start, she shifted gears during the death overs, unleashing a flurry of strokes.

Her run-a-ball 117, laced with nine fours and two sixes, was a commanding innings. The shot that brought up her 10th ODI hundred, a majestic loft over extra cover off Sugandika Kumari, was her best of the day.

"I was just trying to build a partnership with the hope of accelerating later. It's important to have a set batter at the back end of the innings. Very happy with the hundred, first one as captain as well," Sciver-Brunt said.

Her innings ended off the penultimate ball, when she miscued Udeshika Prabodhani to long-on, but the damage had long been done.

'CATCHES WIN MATCHES'

Sri Lanka's chase flickered briefly with a 58-run stand between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera, but from 95 for one, they crumbled like a deck of cards.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu's injury only added salt to the wound. Stretchered off with cramps, she returned bravely but could muster only 15 before Ecclestone breached her defence.

Ecclestone, the world's top-ranked ODI bowler, was in her element on the turning surface, flighting the ball teasingly, leaving the cover region vacant and luring batters into fatal drives.

She conceded just 17 runs in her 10 overs, three of which were maidens and into the bargain accounted for four wickets.

England, the four-time world champions, have now won all three of their games in the eight-nation event and sit pretty atop the table.

They remain in Colombo to face Pakistan next week before heading to India for the final leg of the league stage.

Sri Lanka have a quick turnaround as they play New Zealand on Tuesday in Colombo.

"We bowled well overall, I thought. We dropped their captain early and she scored a hundred. That was the difference. Catches win matches. We need to improve a lot with our catching," Athapaththu said.

After suffering a second straight World Cup defeat, Bangladesh are shifting their focus to how they can get their tournament back on track.

A win over Pakistan kickstarted Bangladesh's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup campaign in style, but since then they have suffered successive losses.

Recent results have pushed them outside the top four and put pressure on their upcoming fixture, set to play South Africa in Vizag on Monday in what is a short turnaround.

While being a standout performer in their 100-run loss to New Zealand, Rabeya Khan (3/30 off 10 overs and 25 off 39 with the bat) offered no excuses post-game.

"If the top-order doesn’t score runs, whatever the lower order does becomes useless," Rabeya told media.

"It’s really tough for us that way ... our batting has collapsed (in the last two games)."

"In the last match (against England), our batters lost wickets very early, and there were still lots of overs left. So Fahima Khatun and I decided we would stay at the crease and take singles to keep the scoreboard moving. While we were batting, we focused on taking as many singles as possible so we could build runs steadily and aim for a bigger total in the last 5-10 overs. But since we lost many wickets early, we couldn’t manage a big score.

"The wicket was the same (for both teams) we just couldn’t play well. That’s the main thing. So ... (the) main thing is batting - batting collapsed. Next time we will concentrate on the batting unit and bowling and fielding just continue (how they have performed)."

abeya was asked about the batting form of their captain, Nigar Sultana Joty, who is averaging just nine runs with the bat so far this tournament. But she insists the lean patch is not a reflection of their leader's preparation.

"(She) was very confident during practice, and she’s usually confident in matches too," Rabeya continued.

"But sometimes, the runs just don’t come off the bat ... that’s normal. She’s trying hard; there’s no lack of effort from her side."

Bangladesh's next opponent, South Africa, have had the inverse campaign of them so far; a loss to start before winning two straight games. It looms as a pivotal encounter for both teams.

A reprimand for Nonkululeko Mlaba after her actions following a dismissal against India were found to have breached the ICC Code of Conduct.

In-form South Africa spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has been given a reprimanded following an incident during her side's victory over India at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup on Thursday.

Mlaba was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

The incident occurred after Mlaba dismissed India batter Harleen Deol during the 17th over of the match in Vizag, with the spinner waving goodbye to the opposing player after she had got her out.

Alongside the reprimand, one demerit point is added to Mlaba’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

Mlaba has six wickets from three matches at the World Cup thus far, with her spell of 2/46 helping South Africa defeat India in Visakhapatnam.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine continued her golden run of form with a gutsy 63 to help the Kiwis to their first win at the Women’s World Cup as they crushed Bangladesh by 100 runs in Guwahati on Friday.

New Zealand, who last year won the T20 World Cup, had found the going tough on India’s sluggish tracks, slipping to defeats in their first two games against defending champions Australia and South Africa.

But against Bangladesh, they finally hit their straps, led from the front by their talismanic skipper Devine who shared a 112-run partnership with Brooke Halliday who top-scored with 69.

It was another outstanding effort from the captain after opting to take first strike.

Devine posted 112 against Australia and 85 versus South Africa, both in losing causes, but this time her effort did not go in vain.

Her gritty half-century laid the foundation for a competitive total after the Kiwis had wobbled to 38-3.

There was a moment of concern mid-innings when Devine, who manages Type 1 diabetes, had to halt play to check her blood sugar levels. Out came a few sweets and a sugary drink before she was back at the crease.

“With diabetes, it’s always a bit of a balancing act,” Devine admitted later.

“I had to take a few jelly beans and coke to get going. It wasn’t the prettiest innings but sometimes you’ve got to do it ugly.”

Her knock of 63 off 85 balls, laced with two fours and two sixes, provided the spine of the innings.

The other New Zealand great Suzie Bates, who had collected consecutive ducks earlier in the tournament, finally found some form with 29 studded with six boundaries before a mix-up saw her run out just when she was looking set.

Halliday made sure the innings didn’t lose momentum, cashing in on the platform to notch up a fluent 69 featuring five fours and a six.

POOR REPLY

Bangladesh’s reply never got out of first gear. Their top five batters failed to reach double figures and it took them 15 overs to find their first boundary.

Jess Kerr caused trouble at the top of the order with 3-21 while Lea Tahuhu ensured there was no fightback with 3-22.

Bangladesh folded tamely with legspinner Fahima Khatun waging a lone battle. She top-scored with 34 before becoming the last wicket to fall as she skied a delivery from Eden Carson out to extra-cover.

New Zealand sit fifth in the eight-team table, one place outside the semifinal spots, level on points with Bangladesh who are one place below.

The White Ferns now head to Colombo for their games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan before wrapping up their group stage in Bombay with matches against hosts India followed by England in Vizag.

"Our batting is not consistent. The lower order has done a decent job, but the top order needs to shoulder more responsibility," Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana conceded after the defeat.

Her team face South Africa and Australia in Visakhapatnam before taking on Sri Lanka and India in Mumbai.

Nadine de Klerk launched a sensational counter-attack from No 8 to lead the Proteas to an extraordinary three-wicket victory against the hosts and tournament favourites, India, in their Women's World Cup match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

De Klerk came to the crease at 142 for six in reply to India’s 251 all out with just 14 overs remaining and hammered 84* from only 54 deliveries with eight fours and five sixes and shared a seventh-wicket stand of 69 with Chloe Tryon to revive South Africa’s hopes, after slumping to 81 for five.

It was one of, if not the best, chasing innings in South Africa’s history.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt battled valiantly to keep the innings together with 70 from 111 deliveries, and Tryon’s 49 from 66 balls (5x4) was crucial to the revival, but De Klerk was almost solely responsible for a victory as astonishing as it seemed unlikely.

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

Incredible. Absolutely incredible!! 🔥

What a contest! Momentum swung throughout, but #TheProteas Women held their nerve to complete a stunning run chase! 💚🇿🇦#Unbreakable #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/xyJaAwaK2H

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 9, 2025

India also struggled early with spinners Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tryon, who shared five wickets to reduce the hosts to 102 for six before a brilliant 94 from just 77 balls from wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh powered the total to 251.

South Africa’s initial demise began almost immediately when in-form Tazmin Brits fell to a stunning, one-handed reflex catch by Kranti Gaud off her own bowling, and she looked as shocked as the batter when the ball stuck.

Sune Luus (5) edged a cut shot against seamer Amanjot Kaur to ‘keeper Ghosh and Marizanne Kapp’s brief flurry of 20 ended when she was bowled by offspinner Sneh Rana while using her feet and attempting to drive straight.

Anneke Bosch (1) was also caught and bowled, this time by offspinner Deepti Sharma, but hopes flickered again with a sixth-wicket partnership worth 61 between Wolvaardt and Tryon before seamer Kranti Gaud (2-59) appeared to end them with a full, straight delivery which crashed into Wolvaardt’s stumps.

One of the best run-chases in the history of Women's Cricket! 😍

An absolute blinder of an innings from Nadine de Klerk#CricketTwitter #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/QJY1IC2fEj

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 9, 2025

Ghosh had been in scintillating form, smashing nine fours and four sixes and sharing a remarkable eighth-wicket partnership of 88 with offspinner Sneh Rana, who contributed a dazzling cameo of 33 (6x4) from only 24 balls.

There was little to suggest the middle order collapse when India reached 55 without loss in the 11th over but Smriti Bandana (23) toe-ended a flighted delivery from Mlaba (2-46) to Sune Luus at long on and Harleen Deol (13) was beaten by a beauty of a delivery, which drifted in before spinning past the outside edge to hit middle and off.

Opener and top scorer Pratika Rawal was undone by a remarkable slower ball from seamer Tumi Sekhukhune, which looped out of her hand at just 76 km/h, befuddling the batter into an equally loopy leading edge to Brits at midwicket.

Tryon (3-32) claimed the next two wickets with Jemimah Rodrigues missing a sweep at her fourth ball to be trapped lbw, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, frustrated with just nine runs from 24 balls, slapping a drive to Marizanne Kapp at backward point.

When Deepti Sharma (4) was caught down the legside by ‘keeper Sinalo Jafta off the pace of Kapp (2-45) the home side and tournament favourites had slumped to 102-6 and on the verge of an early crisis.

But India rebuilt and appeared to have the match under complete control before De Klerk ripped up the script with the innings of a lifetime.

“She’s been hitting the ball like that in the nets for a while, but to see her do it in a match is incredibly special. It was one of the best knocks I’ve seen,” said Wolvaardt afterwards.

India and South Africa now occupy third and fourth place on the eight-team log after three matches out of seven. The top four qualify for the semifinals.

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SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

INDIA: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani

A superb century from Beth Mooney dragged defending champions Australia back from the brink of disaster before they completed a crushing 107-run win over Pakistan in a Women’s World Cup clash in Colombo on Wednesday.

The Aussies were staring down the barrel at 76-7 and then 115-8 after being asked to bat first with the Pakistan bowlers causing mayhem, left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu finishing with 3-37 from her 10 overs.

But a record ninth-wicket stand between Mooney, who was dismissed off the final ball of the innings for 109, and Alana King, who made 51 not out, turned the tide.

The pair dragged their side from the doldrums to a competitive 221-9 and that proved plenty as Pakistan’s brittle batting folded meekly for 114 all out in 36.3 overs.

Sidra Amin was the only Pakistan batter to put up a fight with 35 while opening bowler Kim Garth, who used to compete for Ireland, was the pick of the Australian attack with 3-14.

In the end it was a comfortable win for the Australians but it hadn't looked like that a little earlier.

After a top order collapse that left the dugout stunned, Australia needed a saviour and up stepped the ever reliable Mooney.

The left-hander produced her fifth ODI hundred while King played the perfect foil, matching grit with gumption in a 106-run partnership off 97 balls that breathed new life into the innings.

It was not just a rescue act, it was record breaking. The partnership eclipsed Australia’s previous best for the ninth wicket — 77 between Garth and Ashleigh Gardner — and also set a new Women’s World Cup benchmark, surpassing South Africa’s 66-run effort by Yulandi van der Merwe and Kim Price back in 2000.

Mooney’s innings was a masterclass in temperament, a classic backs-to-the-wall knock. She farmed the strike smartly, ran fast between the wickets and only unfurled the big shots towards the end.

"It was a pretty tricky situation. We wanted to get a partnership going and really had to grind to reach 221," said Mooney.

"Alana King was incredible tonight. We’ve seen her do it before and it was nice to share that stand with her."

Having rebuilt brick by brick, Mooney brought up her century with a nudge to mid-on off Fatima Sana, while King capped her maiden fifty in style, hoisting the Pakistan captain for six as Australia plundered 21 runs off the final over.

Mooney’s 109 off 114 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries, ended when she holed out to cover off the final ball of the innings.

King remained unbeaten on 51 off 49, peppered with three fours and as many sixes, the highest score ever made by a number 10 or lower in women's ODIs.

Pakistan never found their footing in reply, undone by Australia’s relentless discipline with the ball.

The seven-time world champions climbed back to the top of the points table, while Pakistan’s third straight defeat leaves their knockout hopes hanging by a thread.

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PAKISTAN WOMEN: Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Eyman Fatima (In for Aliya Riaz), Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (C), Sidra Nawaz (WK), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

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