The Southern Stars have advanced to the World Twenty20 semi-finals with a little help from New Zealand.
Australia crushed Ireland in their final pool game, restricting the winless minnows to 7-91 then hauling in the target in 13.2 overs with seven wickets in hand at New Delhi.
South Africa could have leapt into second spot on the group A table if they defeated both NZ and Sri Lanka.
But the White Ferns walloped South Africa on Saturday night by seven wickets, ushering themselves and Australia into the knock-out phase of the tournament.
The Southern Stars, shooting for a fourth straight T20 title, will return to Feroz Shah Kotla for Wednesday's semi.
England, currently the top-ranked side in Group B, are their most likely opposition.
"It's always a good match-up whenever we play England," Megan Schutt said, having been named player of the match against Ireland after grabbing figures of 3-29.
"I don't think there's ever been a game when either of us has blown the other out of the park.
"No matter what the conditions are, we will both have to adapt, but I think it will be a cracking game."
It will be Australia's third World T20 match at the ground, while England are yet to play at the venue during this tournament.
"Obviously it's a bit of an advantage to see the ground before the opposition," Schutt said.
Ireland, who finished the tournament without a victory, briefly threatened to cause a boilover after losing the toss.
Clare Shillington and Cecelia Joyce belted Australia's attack, powering their side to 0-33 in the fifth over.
Schutt created the initial breakthrough when Shillington popped up a catch to Beth Mooney at mid-off.
Legspinner Kristen Beams and left-arm tweaker Jess Jonassen both recorded miserly figures of 0-14 from four overs.
"Our bowlers really set the tone early. They certainly got away in the powerplay but I thought we dragged it back really nicely," skipper Meg Lanning said.
Alyssa Healy and Lanning fell cheaply but Elyse Villani and Ellyse Perry shared a 54-run stand.
Lanning was confident her side was hitting form at the right time in the tournament, having banked two wins following a six-wicket loss to NZ.
"We've got some really good momentum over the last couple of games. Our batting has clicked a lot more," she said.
"Semi-finals are always tough ... anything can happen."
Share
