Australia on Sunday secured its sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 19 runs in the final at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. After winning the toss, Australia posted a formidable 156 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
South Africa, in their chase, could only manage 137 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing six wickets.
This is Australia’s sixth title, having previously won in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020. The Australian team has achieved a title hat-trick for the second time, having previously won three consecutive titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. They have now won titles in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
Beth Mooney was the star of the show for Australia, remaining unbeaten on 74 off 53 balls, including nine fours and one six. This tremendous inning made her the first woman player in the world to score half-centuries in two T20 World Cup finals. Shabnam Ismail and Marijane Kapp took two wickets each for South Africa, while Malaba and Tryon got one wicket each. South Africa scored 22 runs in the powerplay, losing one wicket. Their first wicket fell in the fifth over, with Darcy Brown sending Tajmin Brits to the pavilion after scoring 10 runs. South Africa’s second wicket fell in the ninth over, with Ashley Gardner catching Marizanne Kapp off D’Arcy Brown’s bowling. She could only score 11 runs in 11 balls. Soon Luce was the third wicket to fall in the 11th over, scoring only 2 runs.
Led by Laura Wolvaardt’s impressive 61 runs off 48 balls, including five fours and three sixes, South Africa put up a strong performance in the final match against Australia. Tajmin Brits scored 10 runs, Marion Kapp 11, Sune Luce 2, Chloe Tryon 25, and Anneke Bose scored 1 run, while Nadine de Klerk remained unbeaten on 8 and Sinalo Jafta scored 9 runs. Megan Shutt, Ashley Gardner, Darcy Brown, and Jess Jonassen each took one wicket from Australia. Australia made a steady start in the powerplay, scoring 36 runs for the loss of one wicket. Alyssa Healy was caught by Nadine de Klerk off the last ball of the fifth over, having scored 18 runs in 20 balls with three fours. Ashley Gardner was caught by Sune Luce off Chloe Tryon’s bowling in the 12th over, having scored 29 runs in 21 balls with two fours and two sixes. Grace Harris was clean bowled by Malaba in the 15th over, having scored 10 runs, and Meg Lanning was dismissed after scoring 10 runs in the 18th over.
