South Africa stun WT20WC holders, favourites

outh Africa turned in a batting display for the ages on Thursday, upsetting defending champions Australia by eight wickets to book a place in Sunday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final. The semifinal match was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Six-time champs Australia were held to just 134-5 in their turn at bat. Sent in, the Aussies were reduced to 18-2 by the end of the third over, and added just 17 more by the end of the powerplay.

 

They eked past 50 at the halfway point, 52-2 thanks to a decent recovery from Beth Mooney and captain Tahlia McGrath, who were 21 and 18 at that point.

 

McGrath was dismissed in the 13th over for 27, hitting three fours as she and Mooney added an even 50. Mooney was joined by Ellyse Perry, who grabbed a quickfire 31 off 23 balls. She and Mooney put on 31 in 28 balls, before the latter departed for 44.

 

Phoebe Litchfield hit three fours to end with 16 off nine balls. For so long the unquestioned best team in women’s cricket, Australia did not go with a whimper, hitting 43 in the last five overs. But they certainly did not go out with a bang.

 

Ayabonga Khaka had the pick of the figures with her 2-24, while Marizanne Kapp also impressed, taking 1-24 and producing an inspired piece of fielding to remove Mooney.

 

As impressive as the South Africans had been with the ball and in the field, they would prove even more inspired in the chase.

 

The challengers started steadily, and even when the fifth over from Annabel Sutherland produced the wicket of Tazmin Brits for a run-a-ball 15, the Proteas were more or less even with the run rate.

 

They edged ahead when Sophie Molineux was dispatched for back-to-back boundaries by Anneke Bosch in the sixth over, taking South Africa to 43-1, the most runs Australia had given up in the powerplay this tournament.

 

In the next over, Laura Wolvaardt sent Darcie Brown over the ropes. Bosch hit another boundary off Georgia Wareham. 30 runs had come from three overs, and South Africa, after eight overs, only needed a run a ball. At the end of 10, South Africa were comfortably poised on 74-1, 22 ahead of Australia at that same point.

 

The 12th over was where the tide really began to turn, Bosch slog-sweeping Wareham for four, then lofting over the boundary for six. Bosch brought up her fifty in the next over, Ashleigh Gardner giving up three fours in her six balls.

 

Wolvaardt’s wicket for 42 off 37 balls in the 15th over turned out to be too little, too late. Bosch hit two more fours in her knock of 74 not out off 48 balls, with eight boundaries and a six. South Africa won with 16 balls to spare.

 

“I think this is one of the best wins of my cricketing career for sure,” said Wolvaardt. “A couple of other girls have said it as well. I think that was such an amazing chase. Bowlers are excellent. It’s been a good year for us. I think it’s been a real collective group effort.

 

“Obviously with them being the side that they are, I’m always wondering. You’re always looking at ways to sort of find a bit of a weakness. Maybe spend a bit more time analysing them than other teams. I’m glad some of the plans worked today.”

South Africa will await the winner of the second semifinal, between West Indies and New Zealand, on Friday.

(TF)