Women's World Cup 2025: Alana King reigns supreme by scripting history in massive win against South Africa

Women's World Cup 2025, Match 26: Alana King celebrates a wicket (Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Alana Kingetched her name into women's cricket historywith the first-ever seven-wicket haul in the Women's World Cup as Australia ended their league phase with a commanding seven-wicket victory with 199 balls to spare at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

King ripped apart the South African batting lineup after Australia won the toss and opted to field first. She ended -with figures of 7/18 in 7 overs, which included a couple of maidens. She bowled 33 dot balls in her entire spell.   

Best bowling figures in an innings in Women's World Cup:

Player	Edition	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Alana King	2025	7	2	18	7
Jackie Lord	1982	8	2	10	6
Glenys Page	1973	6.2	0	20	6
Sophie Ecclestone	2022	8	0	36	6
Anya Shrubsole	2017	9.4	0	46	6

Australia's stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath lauded the manner in which King bowled and even admitted that the team felt that "something was going to happen" each delivery she bowled. 

"She was very good. Nah, that was pretty awesome. It just felt like, get the ball in her hands and something was going to happen - and that certainly did today. She just relentlessly attacked the stumps, and we felt like every ball was going to be a wicket. Super happy for her. I’ve heard she broke a lot of records - really special performance," stated McGrath during the post-match ceremony.

McGrath's side chased down the target 98-run target in 16.5 overs to cap off a brilliant ending to their league phase. This was Australia's sixth win of the installment (with one no result) which ensured they finished top of the table with a commanding net run rate of +2.102.

Owing to their table-topping finish, Australia will be facing fourth-placed India in the second semi-final of the competition at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The match is slated to be played on Thursday, October 30. Australia won against the co-hosts by three wickets during the round-robin stage in Visakhapatnam on October 12.