Ruthless Australia dispatch Proteas

Australia have fine-tuned for their Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final with a comprehensive 59-run win against South Africa.

Australia bowled South Africa out for 210 on the final ball of the innings having earlier posted 269 from 48.3 overs at the County Ground in Taunton.

Australia's semi-final opponents will be India who scored a 186-run win over New Zealand to secure a place in the final four.

Ellyse Perry was named the player of the match for her brilliant all-round performance that included a half-century, two wickets from her bowling and a stunning effort in the deep to effect a run out. 

Australia, minus injured skipper Meg Lanning, set South Africa a daunting victory target of 270 that proved more than enough but fell short of expectations after a late-order collapse.

Stand-in captain Rachael Haynes won the toss and opted to bat and openers Beth Mooney and Nicole Bolton repayed the faith as they put on 114 for the first wicket.

Mooney was the first to be dismissed for 53 off 58 deliveries. She was followed three runs later by Haynes who was caught-and-bowled for a duck.

Bolton was out for 79 (87 balls) to leave Australia at 3-154, before Elyse Villani also fell for a duck with no change to the total.

Ellyse Perry and Blackwell steered the Aussie women out of trouble. Perry's great form with the bat continued, eventually falling for 55 from 58 balls after hitting seven fours.

Blackwell made 33 before Australia lost quick wickets to be bowled out for 269 in 48.3 overs.

Sune Luus was the pick of South Africa's bowlers, taking 5-67 off her 10 overs.

Lanning was ruled out of the last pool match due to her long-standing shoulder injury.

After scoring a match-winning 76 on Wednesday against India, she sat out the South African clash to preserve her for next week's semi-finals and then potentially the final on Sunday week at Lord's.

Australia are aiming to inflict some early psychological blows on the Proteas ahead of a probable semi-final between the teams on Thursday in Derby.

Both sides have already secured their spots in the last four, but South Africa will now face top side England, who crushed the West Indies in their final group stage match.

Australia are aiming to win the World Cup for an unrivalled seventh time.

Australia: Beth Mooney, Nicole Bolton, Racheal Haynes (capt), Ellyse Perry, Elyse Villani, Alex Blackwell, Alyssa Healy, Ashley Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Kristen Beams.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Trish Chetty (wkt), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Moseline Daniels, Dane van Niekerk (capt), Sune Luus, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas.

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Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

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