Australia wrist-spinner Alana King picked up a seven-wicket haul in a 2025 Women’s World Cup match against South Africa on Saturday (October 25).
Batting first, South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, scored 31 of the team's first 32 runs before being dismissed by Megan Schutt. Australia tightened their grip from that point on, skittling the opposition out for 97. That is the ninth time South Africa have been dismissed for under 100 runs.
Also read: I travelled to Indore for the Women's World Cup - this is what it's like to cover a game
Leading the carnage was Australian leg-spinner Alana King, who produced a spell of utter domination with figures of 7-18. It was her second five-wicket haul in women's ODIs, a performance that shattered several records. Four of King's seven dismissals were bowled. Apart from Wolvaardt, only Sinalo Jafta (29) and Nadine de Klerk (14) reached double figures for South Africa. The innings featured just one extra – a wide.
Match 26, Australia Women vs South Africa Women
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Alana King picks up first seven-for in Women's Cricket World Cup
King’s 7-18 are now the best bowling figures by an Australian in women’s ODIs, surpassing Ellyse Perry’s 7-22 against England in 2019. Shelley Nitschke (7-24 v England, 2005) is the only other Australian to have taken a seven-wicket haul in a women's ODI.
King now also has the best bowling figures in the history of the Women's World Cup. New Zealand’s Jackie Lord held the previous record, having taken 6-10 against India in 1982.
Alana King's unreal spell in #AUSvSA was one for the history books 👏
— ICC (@ICC) October 25, 2025
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/nY890Xp70U#CWC25 pic.twitter.com/ZrQnk00Z8i
Overall, King's 7-18 are now the fourth-best bowling figures in all women's ODIs. Sajjida Shah (7-4), Jo Chamberlain (7-8) and Anisa Mohammed (7-14) are the three above her.
Best bowling figures in Women's World Cup, full list
| Player | Figures | For | Against | Venue | Year |
| Alana King | 7-18 | Australia | South Africa | Indore | 2025 |
| Jackie Lord | 6-10 | New Zealand | India | Auckland | 1982 |
| Glenys Page | 6-20 | New Zealand | Trinidad & Tobago | St Albans | 1973 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 6-36 | England | South Africa | Christchurch | 2022 |
| Anya Shrubsole | 6-46 | England | India | Lord's | 2017 |
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
