Australia have cruised to a crucial seven-wicket victory over tournament favourites India in the Under-19 T20 World Cup, thanks to a brilliant all-round display with bat and ball in Potchefstroom.

The Aussies needed to defeat the in-form and unbeaten India team in their first of two Super Six games to keep their tournament alive and they did so with aplomb, their pace attack leading the way as India were bowled out for 87.

Fiery Victorian quick Milly Illingworth (2-12) set the tone alongside Lucy Hamilton, before Maggie Clark (2-18) and Sianna Ginger (3-13) chimed in to rattle through the India line-up.

A typically aggressive Kate Pelle (17 off 13) gave Australia a solid start to the chase, but when opening partner Sianna Ginger (11) and then Pelle fell in quick succession, India sensed their chance.

Ella Hayward’s dismissal on seven left Australia 3-37, but a typically calm Amy Smith (26no) joined Claire Moore (25no) in the middle to steer Australia towards victory, the pair upping the ante as they drew near their goal, sealing victory in 13.5 overs.

Illingworth struck the vital early blow, removing star India opener Shafali Verma for eight, caught by her opposite number Rhys McKenna at cover.

The right-armer then had a second when wicketkeeper Paris Hall took a brilliant one-handed diving catch to dismiss Gongadi Trisha (4).

Fellow pacer Clark bowled Sonia Mehdiya (2) with her first delivery, as India reached 3-31 at the end of the power play.

The dangerous Richa Ghosh (7) hit Clark back over her head for four but the 15-year-old responded two balls later, finding the edge of the senior India star’s bat with Hall taking a simple catch.

It left India 4-52 at 10 over mark, and the introduction of Ginger after drinks conjured the key with of Shweta Sehrawat, who was dismissed for the first time in the tournament when she was caught for 21 (29) by Moore.

Ginger had a second in her second over, as Parshavi Chopra (8) miscued a short ball and a swift-moving Moore did the rest at mid-on, and as third when Mannat Kashyap (1) skied a chance that was pouched by Pelle.

Hayward and Rhys McKenna joined the wicket takers, before Smith and Hall combined for run out Sonam Yadav (1), India all out for 87 in 18.5 overs.

The win puts Australia level with India, South Africa and Bangladesh, all on four points in Super Six Group One.

South Africa fought back from 4-33 to claim a thrilling five-wicket win over Bangladesh on Saturday evening, reeling in their target of 106 with seven balls to spare.

Both results – where the second-ranked qualifiers from the group stage knocked over their undefeated opponents – have thrown the Super Six phase wide open, with each team still to play one game each.

Australia and Bangladesh will both play the UAE, while India and South Africa both play Sri Lanka.

ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023

Australia squad: Rhys McKenna (c),Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Paris Hall, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Ananaya Sharma, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson.