South Africa produced a sensational performance in Dubai to upset defending champions Australia and seal a spot in Sunday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final.
A brilliant batting display powered South Africa into the T20 World Cup Final, with Anneke Bosch’s inspired 74* knocking out the tournament favourites and sending the Proteas through to Sunday’s showpiece Dubai.
Having restricted Australia to 134/5 in the first innings, South Africa’s top order put on a display of hitting under the lights of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with skipper Laura Wolvaardt (42 from 37) leading the way along with opening partner Tazmin Brits (15 from 15).
But it was Anneke Bosch who knocked the stuffing out of the Aussie bowling attack, scoring fast in her 74* from 48 deliveries to get her team well ahead of the rate, meaning there were few late nerves even when skipper Wolvaardt departed with 15 runs required.
Fittingly, it was Bosch who hit the winning runs, sparking jubilant scenes among the South African contingent in Dubai.
Earlier, having opted to bowl first, the Proteas made an excellent start, forcing Australia to take their time in a rebuild from 18/2.
But Mooney, along with skipper Tahlia McGrath (27), laid a platform for the defending champions. And some excellent contributions from Phoebe Litchfield (16* from 9) and Ellyse Perry (31 from 23) gave Australia’s bowlers something sizeable to defend.
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.
And South Africa’s inspired performances continued into the second innings, as they completed a famous upset.
Wolvaardt’s side will face the winner of Friday’s second semi-final between New Zealand and West Indies, while Australia’s dream of a fourth successive title has come to an abrupt end.
How South Africa’s batters pulled off shock victory
South Africa’s chase started in impressive fashion, as opener Tazmin Brits plundered boundaries, including one big maximum, to get her team off to a flier.
The early momentum was temporarily halted when Annabel Sutherland ended Brits’ run-a-ball 15 with a superb in-swinger that cleaned up the right-hander’s stumps.
But South Africa continued to look comfortable as Anneke Bosch joined skipper Laura Wolvaardt out in the middle.
Wolvaardt kept things ticking over with another excellent knock, the latest example of the world-class quality of the opener.
But it was Bosch who stole the show, peppering the boundary rope as Australia’s much-heralded attack disappeared to all parts.
The 31-year-old hit nine boundaries in all, including one big six, to deservedly win the Player of the Match award.
And fittingly it was one of those Bosch boundaries that wrapped up the win, racing to the rope to seal an eight-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare.
The story of the first innings
Earlier, Australian fans had been boosted by the sight of squad captain Alyssa Healy arriving at the ground without crutches and moon boot, having missed the final group game against India.
However, Healy was subsequently declared unavailable and was not included in the XI, with Australia unchanged.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to field, and the decision was immediately vindicated by a superb start, as Australia lost two early wickets.
Grace Harris, opening in place of the injured Healy, was superbly caught by Anneke Bosch of Ayabonga Khaka’s first delivery for 3 (from 5 balls).
And Georgia Wareham, up at number three, wasn’t able to survive against the Proteas’ potent new-ball duo, edging behind for 5 (9) off Marizanne Kapp.
Australia rebuilt through Beth Mooney and stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath, reaching 35/2 at the end of the powerplay, and progressing to 53/2 by drinks.
The pair put on 50 runs before South Africa’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament, Nonkululeko Mlaba, struck once again, luring McGrath (27 from 33) into a mis-hit that looped to Annerie Dercksen.
Mooney’s magnificent anchoring knock of 44 from 42 deliveries came to an end just as Australia looked to up the ante in the death overs, with the opener run out off her own bowling by Kapp in an inspired piece of fielding.
But some excellent shots late in the innings from Perry and Litchfield added some late gloss to the score, leaving South Africa requiring 135.
The knockout matches at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.
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SOURCED FROM THE T20 WOMEN CRICKET WEBSITE.
