India, June 15 -- Australia won the first heavyweight clash of the Women's Twenty20 World Cup after routing South Africa for 107 in Manchester on Saturday.

Going for a seventh title in the 10th World Cup, Australia battled to put up 172-8 then won by 65 runs at Old Trafford. South Africa was runner-up in the last two tournaments and beat Australia when they previously met in the 2024 semifinals. But the Proteas now must top the other group rival India on June 21 to stay in semifinal contention. Another title favorite suffered a setback when titleholder New Zealand lost to the West Indies - in another 2024 semifinals rematch - by seven wickets on the second-to-last ball in Southampton.

Earlier in a blustery, overcast Manchester, Scotland...