Australia continued their winning streak by defeating South Africa on Tuesday. The team has played six matches so far and has won all of them. The team also tops the points table and their way to semi-finals lay clear. With this win, the Australian women’s cricket team broke the 16-year-old record set by Indian men’s cricket.
The Australian women’s team won the 18th consecutive ODI while chasing the target. This is a new world record in men’s and women’s cricket. Earlier this record belonged to the Indian men’s cricket team. Men’s team of India won 17 consecutive matches while chasing the target in 2005-06.
When it comes to women’s cricket, Australia is followed by England and New Zealand. Both these teams have won 15-15 matches while chasing the target. The Australian women’s team also holds the record for winning the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup six times.
South Africa had set a target of 272 runs. In response, Australian captain Meg Lanning scored her 15th century in ODIs, for which she faced 130 balls and hit 15 fours and a six. This was Lanning’s third century in the World Cups. With help of this innings, Australia chased down 272 for five wickets and registered victory with 28 balls to spare.
Former Australian players Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting had scored eight centuries each in ODIs while chasing a target.
Lanning has 4427 runs in 97 innings at an average of 54. Apart from 15 centuries, Lanning has also scored 19 half-centuries. Her career strike rate has been 92 which is impressive considering she plays in women’s cricket.
Her outstanding form has been a backbone of the current Australian women’s cricket team. Also, the consistency and experience she brings to the team, is self evident for the success Australian women’s cricket team has achieved. They are the most prominent challenger for the World Cup title this year.