INDORE, India — In a crucial Women’s Cricket World Cup match on Saturday, Australia’s captain Tahlia McGrath won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The match will decide the final standings of the group stage, determining the semifinals lineup for the prestigious tournament.

The winner of this high-stakes encounter will finish as table-toppers and face co-host India in the second semifinal in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, while the losing team will play four-time champion England in the first semifinal in Guwahati. Historically, South Africa has never defeated Australia in Women’s World Cup competition, making the odds appear in Australia’s favor.

Australia’s Team and Recent Form

Defending champions Australia, seven-time title winners, currently sit atop the points table with 11 points, maintaining an unbeaten 13-match streak in World Cup tournaments since the 2022 edition. However, the team will be without skipper Alyssa Healy, who is sidelined due to a calf injury.

Captain Tahlia McGrath leads a formidable lineup featuring star all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, powerful batters Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield, and key bowlers Megan Schutt and Georgia Wareham. Australia’s depth in both batting and bowling has made them the tournament favorites and a consistent semifinal contender.

South Africa’s Challenge

South Africa, trailing Australia by a single point, will be led by captain Laura Wolvaardt. The team boasts experienced campaigners like Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, and Chloe Tryon, along with emerging talents such as Annerie Dercksen and Nonkululeko Mlaba. A win against Australia would not only secure the top spot in the table but also mark a historic first tournament victory over the seven-time champions.

Pitch Conditions and Match Outlook

The Holkar Stadium pitch is expected to favor batters, although evening dew could give an advantage to the chasing side. The match promises a thrilling contest as both sides vie for the top seed and the opportunity to face India in the semifinals.

With Australia’s unbeaten streak on the line and South Africa seeking a breakthrough, cricket fans worldwide are watching this encounter closely as it shapes the knockout stage of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

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Starting Lineups:

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Australia: Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (captain), Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt