Australia in women's World Cup final

Opener Lisa Keightley and captain Belinda Clark dismembered South Africa's bowling with clinical precision as Australia coasted to a nine-wicket victory in the semi-finals of the womens' World Cup cricket tournament in Lincoln, New Zealand, on Monday, to book a berth in the final, which will be played on Saturday.

The defending champions canterred to 181 for one in just 31.2 overs after sending in South Africa to bat and restricting them for 180 for eight in their alotted 50 overs.

Clark made 75 runs, including eight boundaries, off 79 balls while Keightley remained unbeaten on 91, which included 13 hits to the fence, off 97 deliveries.

Clark and Keightley, both of whom have performed consistently in the tournament, displayed exquisite timing and class that was more effective than the brutal bashing many teams employ to score quick runs.

Clark was especially outstanding in what was easily her best batting effort of the tournament, and at just the right time.

She was given out, stumped off a wide ball by Cindy Eksteen, by the third umpire Peter Williams without the benefit of a side-on view from the camera when Australia were just 10 runs short of victory in the 26th over.

Keightley and Karen Rolton hit the required runs with ease to finish off the match with more than 18 overs remaining and leave the South Africans thinking about how to lift their standards over the next five years when they host the next edition of the tournament.

Mail Cricket Editor