Australia v South Africa: Women’s Cricket World Cup – live

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1st over: South Africa 0-0 (Wolvaardt 0, Brits 0)

Megan Schutt takes the new ball to open the bowling for Australia and Wolvaardt starts things off safely, with two dot balls gently pushed to short midwicket, before defending one back to Schutt. She then goes for a big pull shot, but it’s straight to Perry at midwicket and she can manage a run from it. A maiden to start for Schutt!

The teams are out on the field for anthems now – not long to go before the first ball.

If you’d like to keep an eye on the men’s ODI between Australia and India in another tab, we’ve got you covered there – check out our OBO here:

Just one change to the Australian line up from that win over England, with Georgia Wareham coming in for Sophie Molineux – the two have pretty well alternated throughout the tournament, so that’s not unexpected.

For South Africa, Sinalo Jafta comes in for Karaba Meso, while Masabata Klaas replaces Nondumiso Shangase.

South Africa XI

1. Laura Wolvaardt (c)

2. Tazmin Brits

3. Sune Luus

4. Annerie Dercksen

5. Marizanne Kapp

6. Sinalo Jafta (wk)

7. Chloe Tryon

8. Nadine de Klerk

9. Ayabonga Khaka

10. Masabata Klaas

11. Nonkululeko Mlaba

Australia XI

1. Phoebe Litchfield

2. Georgia Voll

3. Ellyse Perry

4. Beth Mooney (wk)

5. Annabel Sutherland

6. Ash Gardner

7. Tahlia McGrath (c)

8. Georgia Wareham

9. Alana King

10. Kim Garth

11. Megan Schutt

Australia win the toss and elect to bowl

Tahlia McGrath did the toss for Australia, so that lets you know that Healy is out! McGrath says they’re taking it day by day with her recovery at the moment. McGrath says their decision to bowl was based on it being more difficult to bat under lights.

In wider squad-related news, it was announced today that Australian quick Tayla Vlaeminck will miss the WBBL this season with an ongoing shoulder injury. The fast bowler has been in and out of the Australian team with a very long injury list over the years.

News from the field is that Georgia Voll is warming up, which most people are taking to mean that she will again play for Healy. The captain reportedly had a light training session yesterday, but it seems like Australia will play it safe with her and give her more time to recover before the semis.

While we’re waiting for the toss, why not take some time to review Australia’s match against England from Wednesday, with this insightful match report from Raf Nicholson?

Preamble

Hello and welcome to match 26 of the Women’s World Cup. Today we’ve got the undefeated defending champions Australia taking on South Africa, who had an absolute horror start to the tournament, ending up all out for 69 against England in their first match. But from there, they have rallied and won their next five games, currently sitting in second on the ladder. They haven’t looked convincing in every moment, but they have done what is needed to win.

Australia similarly have had some scratchy wins and got very close to dropping a match on a few occasions, but they have always been able to find someone to dig them out of trouble. Even being forced to play without their captain Alyssa Healy in their last match against England did not cause too many problems, thanks to a stunning partnership from Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner.

Today’s game is the last pool match for both teams and while both have secured their semi finals positions, there is still plenty to play for.

For Australia, going through the pool rounds undefeated will be the aim, while for South Africa, a win over the reigning world champions would boost their confident going into the elimination rounds and wipe all memories of their disastrous beginning.

It’s sure to be a fascinating game, so let’s get into it!