Cricket World Cup 2022: Australia captain Meg Lanning smashes records in win over South Africa

Meg Lanning is officially Australia’s greatest run chasing batter after the captain’s latest century helped mowed down South Africa’s monster total.

Ash Gardner pulls off an incredible outfield catch.

When there’s a run-chase to be had Australian captain Meg Lanning thrives and the superstar skipper kept her team’s unbeaten run at the World Cup rolling with a 15th one-day hundred in a big win over South Africa in Wellington.

A stunning catch from Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner in her 100th match was overshadowed by the ultimate captain’s knock from Lanning, who now has four more ODI hundreds than any female player in history and powered her team to a five-wicket win.

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Of those 15 ODI centuries, 10 have come in run chases and Lanning’s innings of 135 not out, from only 130 balls, was nearly half of Australia’s total as the tournament favourites inflicted the first loss on the Proteas as they chased down their target of 272 with 29 balls to spare.

A potential back injury to superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who left the field in the middle of Australia’s run chase and didn’t bat, was the only downside to Australia’s win but Lanning didn’t think it was a serious issue.

Loves a run chase #CWC22pic.twitter.com/WUeq6x2axD

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 22, 2022

Loves them A LOT #CWC22pic.twitter.com/xDSs463Hi0

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 22, 2022

Meg Lanning celebrates reaching her century. Picture: Marty Melville/AFP

“She could have come out to bat if she needed to.” Lanning said of Perry.

“We tried to get through without her today. Hopefully it’s not serious and she’ll be back for the next game.

The century from Lanning, who now averages nearly 70 in run-chases, came after she made 97 as Australia chased down 277 to beat India on Saturday in Auckland and as Australia again stamped it’s World Cup authority with just one pool game, against Bangladesh on Friday, to come before the semi-finals.

“It’s been nice to contribute the last two games,” Lanning said in her understated fashion.

“I was really clear what my plans were coming into these last two games so it was nice for it to come off and hopefully it can continue.”

Australia captain Meg Lanning (L) collides with South Africa captain Sune Luus. Picture: Marty Melville/AFP

Already averaging over 50 in one-day cricket, Lanning reached triple-figures in just 92 balls, with 13 fours and a six to demoralise the opposition who had managed to remove two of Australia’s powerful top-order cheaply.

But with superstar all-rounder Perry unable to come in to bat until number seven, Tahlia McGrath put on a quickfire 93-run partnership with Lanning to put victory in sight.

Perry stayed in the sheds as first Gardner then Annabel Sutherland came out to join Lanning as they got their team home and ended South African’s unbeaten run at the World Cup.

Six dropped five catches, including Lanning twice, the first time when she was on 115 and Australia still needed 65 to win, cost the South African’s dearly.

Virat Kohli is the Meg Lanning of run chases #WWC22

— Sam Ferris (@samuelfez) March 22, 2022

A class above, our skipper 😍pic.twitter.com/RPZtOklEWw

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 22, 2022

The Aussies opted to rest teenage fast bowler Darcie Brown for the game with Lanning suggesting they don’t want to overwork the 19-year-old with the finals still to come.

“Darcie is an important player for us but we need to take care of her and make sure she‘s available for as many games as possible,” Lanning said.

Australia is the only unbeaten team in the World Cup and has only lost one of 26 matches since October 2017.

‘Remarkable’: Aussie’s catch for the ages

- Tim Michell

Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner has pulled off one of the great World Cup catches to ignite her side’s powerhouse clash against South Africa.

Gardner was backtracking when she threw one had in the air and caught Mignon Du Preez off the bowling of spinner Jess Jonassen.

WATCH GARDNER’S EPIC CATCH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Commentator Nasser Hussain said Gardner’s acrobatic effort was as good as Ben Stokes’ freakish World Cup effort against South Africa, which was hailed as superhuman.

Hussain was in the commentary box for Stokes' catch, proclaiming: “No way, you cannot do that Ben Stokes. That is remarkable”.

Ash Gardner what a catch! 🤯 #CWC22pic.twitter.com/kW2LGXJ9LF

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 22, 2022

Noooooo way Ash Gardner #CWC22pic.twitter.com/yENpPmHPd5

— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) March 22, 2022

On Gardner’s catch, Hussain said: “Brilliant from Ash Gardner, what a cricketer she is … came in a couple of yards and then she was backtracking, she had to go one handed. She’s amazed herself.”

He added: “I was lucky enough to see that Ben Stokes catch at The Oval … that is just as good from Ash Gardner.”

All Du Preez could do was laugh as she was dismissed for 14 from 13 balls, helping South Africa post 5-271 batting first.

Both the Australians and South Africans were unbeaten heading into the game, with Australia’s passage to the semi-finals already guaranteed.

✨women✨ https://t.co/ogiY1M7JdSpic.twitter.com/YfVOEMRUuF

— Clare Cosy (@ClareCosy) March 22, 2022

Ash Gardner might have some legal issues with MJ after taking that catch pic.twitter.com/pZYlcC5jjw

— Nathan Brookes (@BrookesyNat) March 22, 2022