Meg Lanning's knock against India on Wednesday secured Australia's place in the World Cup semi-finals and proved once more just how important she is to Australia's fortunes this tournament, even with her chronic shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old shouldn't be playing, as the chunky padding wrapped around her right shoulder to stabilise the damaged joint would suggest, but her runs have been so crucial already in this World Cup and more will still be needed for this side to lift the trophy for a seventh time.

Her latest knock of 76 not out amidst constant shoulder pain was the best she'd produced since racking up an unbeaten 152 not out against Sri Lanka.

By her side for most of it was her favourite lieutenant Ellyse Perry, with the pair producing yet another 100-run stand for the third wicket, this time combining for 124.

Perry plundered an unbeaten 60, her fourth half century in a row, and she iced the cake with a typical on drive to the boundary with 29 balls to spare.

Statistically, Lanning's latest innings was significant. The knock took her past 5000 international runs across all three formats of the game, although she'll have to wait for her 3000th ODI run having now compiled 2999.

Credit must also be given to Indian captain Mithali Raj who broke Charlotte Edwards' all-time ODI runs record, and became the first woman to pass 6000 in the 50-over format, helping her side to 7-226 with a well-made 69.

But that was never going to be enough against this powerful Australian batting line up.

No bowler is safe when Lanning is at the crease, and there's no part of the boundary she can't crash the ball into.

And she has taken a particular shining to this venue at Bristol where she's now amassed 420 runs at an average of 140. Should Australia finish first they'll enjoy a semi-final at this venue, which would clearly play into their hands.

India, meanwhile, have been left with a must-win clash against New Zealand on Saturday with the teams fighting over the final place in the top four.

This could yet prove a harsh finish on the future superpower of women's cricket, which won their first four games of the tournament before losses to South Africa and now Australia.

Their star on Wednesday was Punam Raut who made 106 opening the batting, her second ODI century in her 50th game at this level, but Australia fought back late with the ball reducing India's last five overs to ruin.

Australia 2-227 (Lanning 76*, Perry 60*) def India 7-226 (Raut 106, Raj 69)