Australia ease into World Cup semi-finals thanks to record chase against India

Set 278 to win at Eden Park, after Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur starred with the bat for Indian, the Aussies romped to victory with three balls and six wickets to spare

Auckland: India 277-7, Australia 280-4 - Australia won by six wickets

Scorecard

Australia remain on a collision course with the World Cup crown after cruising into the semi-finals courtesy of an emphatic win over India.

Set 278 to win at Eden Park, after Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur starred with the bat for Indian, the Aussies romped to victory with three balls and six wickets to spare.

The successful chase, a record for Women's World Cup matches, was underpinned by captain Meg Lanning and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy.

^{Australia have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup}

Lanning struck 97 from 107 balls, and Healy made 72 from 65 at the top of the order, as Australia ensured they retained control throughout the second innings of the game.

Healy had shared in an opening partnership with 121 with Rachael Haynes, who made 43, to give her side the perfect start. And although India claimed both Haynes and Healy in the space of 10 balls, Lanning ensured there would be no major wobble.

The skipper hit 13 boundaries and joined forces with Ellyse Perry to put on 103 for the third wicket.

Lanning was dismissed by Meghna Singh with just eight more runs required, and Beth Mooney (30*) saw the Australians home.

Earlier, India had three half-centurions as they posted a competitive total.

^{Mithali Raj top-scored for India in Auckland}

Though Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana were both out cheaply, Yastika Bhatia stabilised the innings alongside Raj.

Bhatia contributed 59 from 83 balls, sharing in a stand worth 130 for the third wicket with her captain. Raj's 68, meanwhile, provided the innings with an anchor, and Kaur was devastating in her attacking strokeplay later on.

Her 57 came from 47 balls, and a partnership of 64 in 7.5 overs alongside Pooja Vastrakar at the death put India in a position of strength. Ultimately, though, they were not enough for this relentless Australian side.

A 50-over title, to go with the T20 crown they earned on home soil in 2020, seems an inevitability.