GQEBERHA, South Africa, Feb 19, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Australia powered their
way into the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday, confirming
their status as favourites, while England looked their most likely
challengers.

Australia were put under pressure by South Africa and an enthusiastic home
crowd at St George's Park in Gqeberha, but won comfortably in the end by six
wickets with 21 balls to spare.

In the earlier game of a double-header England remained the only other
unbeaten team by inflicting a first defeat on India, winning by 11 runs.

Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner ensured Australia would finish top of
Group 1 with aggressive batting after their side had been in trouble.

Chasing 125 to win, Australia slipped to 40 for three but McGrath and Gardner
went for their shots in a fourth-wicket partnership of 81.

McGrath hit 57 off 33 balls before being caught going for a big hit with four
runs needed to win. She reached her half-century off 29 deliveries. Gardner
made 28 not out off 29 balls.

"Tahlia was excellent, Ash as well," said Australian captain Meg Lanning.

"They summed up the conditions really well and put the pressure back on South
Africa."

South Africa captain Sune Luus said her team had failed to capitalise on a
good start to their innings after they were sent in to bat.

"We just didn't have enough runs on the board," she said.

Australia completed their group matches with four wins from four matches
while defeat was a blow to South Africa's chances of reaching the semi-
finals.

With only one win from their first three matches, South Africa will rely on
New Zealand defeating Sri Lanka in Paarl on Sunday.

The hosts will then need to win their final match against Bangladesh in Cape
Town on Tuesday to force a three-way tie for second place in Group One.

Net run rate would then be the tiebreaker.

"It's not ideal to have to rely on other teams but we're going to leave
everything out there," said Luus.

England won a top-of-the-table Group Two contest despite a career-best
bowling performance by India opening bowler Renuka Thakur, who took five for
15.

But Nat Sciver-Brunt (50) and Amy Jones (40) scored freely as England posted
151 for seven. India replied with 140 for five.

"We started really well," said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, "but in the
middle overs we didn't stick to our plan."

England captain Heather Knight said it was a good sign for her side that they
were able to fight back after Thakur's early onslaught reduced them to 29 for
three.

"We talk about batting according to conditions. It was good after three
wickets lost early to show we can still punch out a score," she said.

England, who play Pakistan in their final group match in Cape Town on
Tuesday, are virtually certain to qualify for the semi-finals.

India are also well-placed to reach the last four. They meet rock bottom
Ireland in Gqeberha on Monday.