A commanding performance saw South Africa Women qualify for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 8-wicket win over Australia in Dubai. The victory sees South Africa become the first team to confirm a place in the final, where they will face either New Zealand or the West Indies.
Chasing 135, South African Anneke Bosch played the match-winning knock, anchoring the chase with a scintillating 74* off 48 balls, laced with 8 boundaries and a six. Bosch was well-supported by the skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who made 42 off 37 as the duo stitched an important 96-run partnership for the second wicket. South Africa reached their target comfortably with 16 balls to spare, finishing on 135/2 in 17.2 overs.
Australia, being asked to bat first after losing the toss, managed a mediocre total of 134/5 in their 20 overs. Beth Mooney scored 44 off 42 as a disciplined bowling attack by South Africa pinned the Australian batters back. Ayabonga Khaka took 2/24 and Marizanne Kapp picked up 1 for 24 to peg Australia back, who had wickets falling at regular intervals. Mooney found a bit of company in Tahlia McGrath’s 27 off 33, and Ellyse Perry’s 31 off 23, to be the only other notable contributions.
Hence, the Australian innings never really gained full momentum as they struggled to tackle the disciplined bowling of South Africa. Khaka castled Grace Harris early for just 3; Kapp made sure Georgia Wareham did not score big either. A late cameo by Phoebe Litchfield -16* off 9 saw Australia cross the 130-run mark, but that was never good enough against the potent batting lineup of South Africa.
The South Africans, in reply, got off to a brisk start; the score read 43/1 inside the powerplay. While Tazmin Brits fell for 15, the real danger came through Bosch and Wolvaardt, the eventual match-winners. The aggression at one end courtesy Bosch and the stability at the other end courtesy of Wolvaardt never allowed Australia to pull the rate back. The game was as good as sealed when Bosch reached her fifty off just 31 balls.
The victory propels South Africa into their second Women’s T20 World Cup final and now wait for the victor of the second semi-final between New Zealand and the West Indies. Bosch’s magnificent knock fetched her the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
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