South Africa secured their spot in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup by defeating six-time champions Australia in a dramatic first semifinal held in Dubai.
Winning the toss, South Africa opted to field first. Australia began their innings with Grace Harris and Beth Mooney, but Harris was dismissed for 3 with the score at 7. Georgia Wareham followed, scoring 5. Tahlia McGrath contributed 27 runs, while Mooney anchored the innings with 44 off 42 balls. Ellyse Perry added 31, guiding Australia to 134/5 in 20 overs.
Chasing 135, South Africa started confidently with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who built a 25-run opening partnership. Brits scored 15 runs before departing. Wolvaardt, together with Anneke Bosch, put up a match-winning 96-run stand for the second wicket. Wolvaardt was dismissed for 42, but Bosch’s unbeaten 74 off 48 balls ensured South Africa’s victory.
South Africa reached the target in 17.2 overs, with 2 wickets down, scoring 135 runs. This marked the first time South Africa has defeated Australia in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.
This is South Africa’s second time qualifying for the final of the tournament, having finished as runners-up last year. Their opponents in the final will be determined in the second semifinal between New Zealand and the West Indies, to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
