With the paper band playing in front of a small crowd at Dubai International Stadium, South Africa showed them how it’s done.
A solid batting display, highlighted by a 96-run partnership between captain Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, ensued after a joint bowling effort. They ended Australia’s record of seven consecutive final appearances in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with an eight-wicket victory in the opening semi-final.
Following Meg Lanning’s retirement, Australia’s maiden ICC tournament ended in the knockout rounds. The six-time winners were also without Alyssa Healy, who sustained a foot injury against Pakistan.
Despite a late comeback, South Africa initially held Australia to 134 for 5. Then they easily won by eight wickets with 16 balls remaining to create a huge impression and advance to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.
Powerplay choke hold featuring Kapp and Khaka
When South Africa put Australia in a tight situation during the toss, it was clear how they thought. With the new ball, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka had adequate swing.
Khaka didn’t need to learn about the transaction to pick up a wicket. Grace Harris slashed her first ball of the game, a length ball that curved away from a touch and went into the palms of backward point.
In the opening over, Kapp had extracted enough movement in both directions. In her second, she witnessed Georgia Wareham smash a free hit through the square leg. However, she reversed the batter using the outswing, with the DRS assisting South Africa.
Wareham could not withstand Kapp’s sharp bowl, delivered with considerable length near the fifth stump. Kapp and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta were aware of the edge, even though the on-field umpire missed it.
Because Kapp received so much help, Wolvaardt gave her a third consecutive over on the powerplay. Australia’s lowest score in this T20 World Cup phase was 35 for 2 in the first six overs, and they were eventually faced with 19 dots.
A fraction of recuperation courtesy McGrath, Mooney
Fans refer to Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath as “McMooney” because of their many bat rescues. They teamed up after three overs, with Australia at 18 for 2. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s over saw two fours from McGrath to conclude the powerplay, but it seemed like the ball was not hitting the bat.
McGrath’s second boundary didn’t come until the eleventh over, as Wolvaardt took advantage of this by applying spin to both ends of the ball. A few overs later, she was out, hitting Mlaba clean to cover to break her 50-run partnership with Mooney.
Australia appeared to have the ideal foundation for success at that point. In the 16th over, Mooney, on 37 off 38 at the time, swung one through square leg to finish another boundary-less 29-ball phase.
Despite this, Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield helped Australia secure a solid finish as they amassed 31 runs in the final three overs. But it was not strong enough in light of what came next.
Bosch and Wolvaardt defeat Australia
South Africa faced 19 dot balls in the opening six overs, just like Australia did. However, they ended that phase with five fours and a six, making 43 for 1, the highest total by any side against Australia in this T20 World Cup.
However, South Africa scored 32 off ten powerplay attempts, compared to Australia’s 21 from nine attacking shots. Tazmin Brits was fearless when using her feet, first against Megan Schutt and later against Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner was struck for a six by the British, clearing Annabel Sutherland, who was leaping at the rope. To read more cricket news betproexch sign up.
But Sutherland struck first, delivering a length delivery that skidded and rattled the British off stump. Australia should have been exerting more pressure, but Wolvaardt and Bosch had other plans.
After Sutherland was bowled over by the former first, Bosch smashed two consecutive boundaries off Sophie Molineux in the sixth over. In addition, Wolvaardt hit her teammate Darcie Brown of the Adelaide Strikers for a vast six by swinging him long-on.
Throughout South Africa’s pursuit, Bosch’s intent was evident as she attempted a few reverse hits and showed remarkable agility when facing spin. South Africa had smashed a four in each from the third to the eighth over.
Three boundary-less overs ensued until Bosch broke the mould by hitting Wareham for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries. In the following over, she faced Gardner and went 4, 2, 4, reaching her fifty.
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With South Africa just 14 away, Wolvaardt collapsed, holing out to mid-off. Bosch dutifully completed it to record her best T20I score of 74 and stay undefeated.
Australia had not lost to South Africa in Twenty20 Internationals until earlier this year. Who would have thought that would lead to something this significant and bring them one step closer to winning their first world championship?