17 June,2009 12:40 PM IST | | AFP
Skippers Karen Rolton and Charlotte Edwards set up an Australia against England semi-final in the Women's World Twenty20 on Tuesday.
Both players made 43 with Rolton setting up Australia's 24-run win over South Africa in Group A while Edwards anchored England to a 63-run success against Pakistan in Group B.
The sides meet at The Oval on Friday as the first part of a double-header with the men's semi-final while New Zealand tackle India at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
It was also a day for left-arm spinners, with England's Holly Colvin taking 3-18 and Australia's Shelley Nitschke 4-21.
"We can do better than that," said Edwards after her side were bowled out for just 123.
Put in to bat by Pakistan, England looked in control as Edwards and Sarah Taylor put on 43 inside six overs.
But when Urooj Mumtaz's leg breaks accounted for both Sarah and Claire Taylor the innings deflated.
The World Cup winners still looked well placed at 71-3 at halfway but panic set in when Edwards was caught behind off spinner Sana Mir after a 32-ball stay. The last five dismissals were all run-outs.
In reply, Pakistan were dismissed for 60, the lowest total of the tournament.
Australia recovered after slipping to 79-5 against South Africa.
Rolton and Alex Blackwell, with 40 not out off 22 deliveries, hammered 68 off 6.3 overs to take Australia to a tournament-high total of 164-6.
Nitsckhe then took three wickets in an over on her way to the player-of-the-match award as South Africa ended on 140-7.
South African openers Shandre Fritz (39 off 23 balls) and Trisha Chetty (36 off 25) showed that the Australian attack can be put under pressure, sharing 73 for the first wicket inside eight overs.
