By Victoria Hamilton 
Beth Mooney’s stunning 82 off 55 balls powered Australia to a nail-biting victory over South Africa in the final T20I, clinching the series 2-1 and extending their lead in the multi-format series to 4-2.
Mooney Magic:
- The left-hander hit the ground running, reaching 1-53 by the powerplay.
- Her fifty arrived in just 39 balls, setting the platform for victory.
- Though dismissed in the 18th over, she left only 14 runs needed from 13 balls.
Gardner Finishes Strong:
- Ashleigh Gardner stepped up when needed, hitting a crucial six and four off Nadine de Klerk to ease the pressure.
- She fittingly smashed the winning run with four balls remaining.
Kapp’s Career-Best:
- Marizanne Kapp celebrated her 100th game with a career-high 82, leading South Africa to their highest T20I total against Australia (7-162).
- She shared an 80-run partnership with Anneke Bosch, turning the tide after early wickets.
Series Wrap-Up:
- Australia’s win secures a 4-2 lead in the multi-format series.
- The teams now head to Melbourne for the Australian Cricket Awards before reconvening for the first ODI in Adelaide on Saturday.
Zainab Shafiq