South Africa upset six-time champions Australia to reach the final Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Proteas avenged their loss in the 2023 final by eight wickets in a high-stakes match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (17 October). Australia has lost its captain Alyssa Healy South Africa struggled to secure the lead as a leg injury ended Australia’s 15-match winning streak in the tournament and marked their first Women’s T20 World Cup victory over the Aussies in eight matches.
Australia’s innings: Resilient Beth Mooney and aggressive Ellyse Perry
After being put into bat, Australia managed to post a competitive total of 134/5. The Australians were worried from the start Ayobonga Xhakawho fired Grace Harris for a total of 3. Georgia Wareham soon after, leaving Australia in a precarious position. However, tolerable Beth Mooney (44 from 42 balls) and Tahlia McGrath (29 off 27 balls) steadied the innings with a 50-run stand for the third wicket. Mooney held the shots together before finishing at 17.
Ellyse Perry applied some late aggression, smashing 31 off 23 balls and giving the Aussies a much-needed boost. Phoebe Litchfield He hit a quick 16 off 9 balls, but Australia couldn’t accelerate as much as they would have liked. Xhaka was the standout with 2 wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs. And Kuleko Mlaba and Marizanne Kapp also chipped with the main doors.
Also READ: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals: Streaming, Live Stream details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, South Africa, UK, USA & more
South Africa’s chase: Steady Laura Wolvaardt and dominant Anneke Bosch
South Africa’s run chase got off to a cautious start, with only four runs coming from the first two overs. Compensation Britain hit a couple of boundaries to get things going but was dismissed for 15 Annabel SutherlandHe emerged as Australia’s best bowler with figures of 4-0-26-2. From there, stable Laura Volwardt (42 off 38 balls) and dominant Anneke Bosch (74 off 48 balls) took charge by building a 96-run partnership for the second wicket.
Wolvaardt closed out the innings with well-timed strikes before becoming Sutherland’s second victim. However, Bosch came through with the bat, playing the best knock of his career with 16 balls to see South Africa home. Apart from Sutherland, none of the Australian athletes could hold off the South Africans Megan Shutt and others cannot influence.
Here’s Twitter’s reaction:
South Africa Women beat Australia to reach the T20 Women’s World Cup final!#WorldCup #T20 #CricketTwitter
— Arjun Jain (@arjjain) October 17, 2024
Sometimes you just have to play through your bad game in the group stage. South Africa did, Australia didn’t #AUSvSA
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) October 17, 2024
Laura Wolvaardt has truly been a strong leader for South Africa
He led the way by batting with more intent and aggression and nobody scored more runs than him in this edition
Young Meg Lanning was as captain#T20WorldCup #AUSvSA
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 17, 2024
Real captains beat in tough matchup… Laura Wolvaardt everyone 🙏🏾 #ProteaFire
— Levi Dietla (@BlaQMaN_Levi) October 17, 2024
I can’t believe the Australian Women’s team is out of the World Cup! What a surprise!
But hats off to Anneke Bosch for a superb strike where she showed class and resilience under pressure.
Congratulations to South Africa on an incredible win!
#AnnekeBosch #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/5AvEaNya5N
— Carrom Ball (@carrom_ball) October 17, 2024
SOUTH AFRICA IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL AGAIN!!!!! 🎉
Defending champion Australia KNOCKED OUT!!!!#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8lIfERW0V1
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 17, 2024
The South African team that beat Australia is good #T20WorldCup to the final 🔥🔥🔥🇿🇦#HereForHer #AlwaysHigh #Come with me #BeHisSide https://t.co/qnZ6svFLwF pic.twitter.com/MMHrmfkmta
— Ricardo Mackenzie MPP🇿🇦 (@ricardomackenzi) October 17, 2024
South Africa defeated Australia in the semi-finals of the cricket world cup.
The day has finally arrived.
— Behram Ghazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) October 17, 2024
WIN and FINAL for Proteas Women 🏆🏏🇿🇦
What an unforgettable performance as the Proteas Women beat Australia #T20WorldCup Semi-final with 8 wickets!
With heart, skill and pure dedication!
We #ALWAYS! 💪🔥FOR ME. FOR HIM. FOR THEM… pic.twitter.com/VatSJzhe1h
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 17, 2024
A win for the ages, SA Women beat Australia #T20WorldCup!
South Africa lost the final to Australia in the last edition and now they have been handed the hammer they don’t get often.
How clinical and professional a follow-up can be.
One of Australia’s strongest sides was defeated. Yes… pic.twitter.com/safUGC6cq8
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 17, 2024
Due South Africa for last year’s heartbreak against Australia. Excellent 🙌🏼
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) October 17, 2024
What a Victory for South Africa 👏
– Final 🙌#women #cricket #AUSvSA #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/HIPIXbpqIw
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 17, 2024
Also READ: Complete details of record prize money for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.