Focus on Proteas, not semis: Lanning

Australia captain Meg Lanning says she isn't worrying herself about which Women's World Cup semi-final her team will end up contesting, with one match still to play in the tournament's group stage

Lanning's team cemented their spot in the play-offs with an eight-wicket win over India on Wednesday and next play South Africa in Taunton this Saturday.

They currently sit second on the table, but are behind England on net run rate and would need a big win over the Proteas – or for England to drop their remaining match against West Indies – to finish in top spot.

The benefits of finishing first are obvious – it would see Australia play their semi-final against the fourth-ranked team in Bristol, where they've already played four games.

And should they win through to the final, they'd have the benefit of an extra two days' rest before the match at Lord's on July 23.

Quick Single: Aussies advance with crushing win

"We haven't spoken much about the semis at all, to be honest," Lanning said.

"We're going in to South Africa game to win and make sure we keep improving on our game, that's what we're going to focus on and whatever happens after that will happen. 

"It's going to be a tough challenge no matter who it is you play or where you play.

"Once you get in to the semi-finals of a World Cup they're always big games with a lot of pressure attached. 

"We're looking forward to playing South Africa first, they're a very dangerous side. 

"We'll look at them and go out there and try to win that game and we'll worry about the rest later."

After a disappointing three-run loss to England, Lanning said she was pleased with the way her team had bounced back - particularly the bowlers, who restricted India to 7-226 and let through just five extras, having handed England a bonus 32 runs last Sunday.

WWC17 Today: Three sides move ahead

"I thought it was a pretty good overall performance," Lanning said. 

"I thought all of our bowlers did a really good job from the start and were able to keep the pressure on India.

"Even when Raj was in there and they were going well we were able to keep them in check pretty well.

"It seemed as though they were sort of creating a base to try and launch from towards the end but we were able to take wickets at regular intervals, which helped keep the total down to one we were pretty confident we could chase down. 

"It was a nice way to bounce back."

Lanning was also pleased with the approach taken by Australia's batters in the chase, who went on the attack after a sluggish start on a slow wicket to chase down India's total with five overs to spare.

Quick Single: Raj sets new runs record

"All the batters took some good risks to keep the scoreboard ticking along," she said. 

"They weren't outrageous shots but they were just trying to put the pressure back on Indian bowlers. 

"The wicket was a bit slower than the one we have played on here previously and our approach was the more attacking and positive you were, it made it easier. 

"If you sat there and waited for one to turn, you could find yourselves in trouble."

The win is a welcome boost of confidence for Australia ahead of the finals, but Lanning said they would first steel themselves for a tough match-up with South Africa, who romped to an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Wednesday and who must defeat Australia to be sure of a place in the semi-finals.

"They've had some good games at this tournament," Lanning said. 

"They've got match winners in their side with both bat and ball and they've shown that they're very capable of knocking teams off. 

"We won't be taking them lightly at all, that's for sure."