WELLINGTON: Australia’s skipper Meg Lanning shone with a magnificent century in the run chase to power her side to a comfortable victory over South Africa by five runs in the 21st match of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, here on Tuesday.

Set to chase a commendable 272, Australia comfortably sealed the victory in the 46th over by five wickets, thanks to the unbeaten 135-runs knock from the skipper Lanning.

Coming out to chase, Australia fumbled a little at the start as the side lost their first wicket for a mere 14 as the wicket-keeper batter Alyssa Healy perished after scoring a mere five.

Lanning then came out to bat and stood firm at her end, while the rest of the batters kept walking back after scoring briefly. She kept ticking the scoreboard single-handedly and put on a brilliant century.

She remained unbeaten with 135 off 130 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and a six. Apart from Lanning, Tahlia McGrath also chipped in as she scored 32 off 35 balls.

For South Africa, Chloe Tyron and Shabnim Ismail picked up two wickets apiece.

Batting first, South Africa posted a commendable total of 271/5 in the allotted 50 overs; setting a 272-runs target for the former champions.

The opening batter Laura Wolvaardt and the skipper Sune Luus scored half-centuries, while the rest of the batters also made small contributions.

Luus scored 52 off 51 balls, laced with six boundaries, while Wolvaardt top-scored for her side with 90 off 134 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.

For Australia, Alana King, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardener, Jess Jonassen, and Megan Schutt managed to pick one wicket each.

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