Australia again rotated out Sophie Molineux for Georgia Wareham

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Toss Australia chose to bowl vs South Africa

Australia’s stand-in captain, Tahlia McGrath, chose to bowl in their final group game against South Africa, with both sides looking for a victory that would take them top of the standings. The winner of this game will clash with India in the second semi-final in Navi Mumbai on October 30.

McGrath’s presence at the toss confirmed that Australia would not risk Alyssa Healy after her calf soreness. They made one change to their XI from the win over England in midweek, with Georgia Wareham rotating in for Sophie Molineux.

“Naturally a bit of a chasing ground,” McGrath said of the conditions in Indore, “looks easier to bat under lights.” She added that unbeaten Australia were “getting closer” to playing their best, having been tested by a slide to 68 for 4 chasing 245 against England, before an unbroken 180-run stand between Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner sealed victory.

South Africa, who have won five games in a row after opening with a defeat to England, made two changes: Sinalo Jafta was back behind the stumps, while Masabata Klaas replaced Nondumiso Shangase in the bowling attack. Laura Wolvaardt admitted she, too, would have preferred to bowl first. “Hopefully we can put up a decent score,” she said. “Nice to see contributions from the whole batting line-up throughout the tournament.”

Australia currently lead South Africa by a point at the top of the table. The winner of this match will go on to play India in Thursday’s second semi-final, while the loser will face England on Wednesday.

Australia: 1 Georgia Voll, 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney (wk), 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath (capt), 8 Georgia Wareham, 9 Alana King, 10 Kim Garth, 11 Megan Schutt

South Africa: 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Annerie Dercksen, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klaas, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba