Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa beat Australia by 8 wickets to enter final
South African women’s team achieved a major feat by eliminating six-time champion Australia from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Proteas defeated the defending champions by eight wickets on Thursday (October 17) in the semi-final held at the Dubai International Cricket.
In 2023, South Africa, led by Sune Luus, was defeated by Meg Lanning’s Australia by a margin of 19 runs in the final match at Newlands in Cape Town. However, Laura Wolvaardt’s team took revenge for their loss against Australia, who were without their skipper Alyssa Healy, who suffered a foot injury against Pakistan.
South Africa’s victory marked their first win over Australia in eight encounters in the Women’s T20 World Cup. They also put an end to Australia’s 15-match winning streak in the tournament.
Also read: Women’s T20 WC: India on brink of exit after tough loss to Australia
Batting first, Australia put up a total of 134/5
Australia, having been put in to bat first, managed 134 runs while losing five wickets. Grace Harris, who had scored 40 runs while opening the batting unexpectedly against India, was dismissed for just three runs by Ayobonga Khaka, resulting in South Africa getting their final breakthrough. Georgia Wareham was out early but Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath combined to put up a partnership of 50 runs for the third wicket.
Nonkululeko Mlaba, a left-arm spinner, got rid of McGrath for 27, breaking up the partnership. Mooney batted until the 17th over, scoring 44 runs off 42 balls before getting run out. However, Ellyse Perry started off strongly, adding momentum to the innings with a 31-run knock off just 23 balls.
Khaka was the best bowler for South Africa, taking 2 wickets and conceding just 24 runs in 4 overs. Marizanne Kapp and Mlaba took one wicket each. Chloe Tryon also bowled economically.
Also read: Women’s T20 WC: New Zealand defeat Sri Lanka; stay in contention for Semis
South Africa chase down target in 17.2 overs
South Africa appeared nervous at the start of their chase, managing just four runs in the first two overs. However, Tazmin Brits managed to hit two boundaries and score 15 runs, providing some momentum to the innings before Annabel Sutherland dismissed her.
Thereafter, Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch aggressively targeted the opposing bowlers, forming a significant partnership of 96 runs for the second wicket.
Wolvaardt scored 42 runs and was the mainstay of the innings before she became Sutherland’s second victim. Bosch though ensured she played all the way through to the end. Scoring 74 runs from 48 balls, she player her career best knock and ensured that South Africa successfully chase down the target with 16 balls remaining.
