South Africa Stunning Victory Over Australia. In a thrilling semifinal match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa Women claimed a stunning eight-wicket victory over the defending champions, Australia Women. The game, held at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on October 17, 2024, saw South Africa pull off a remarkable performance, ending Australia’s dominance in women’s cricket. The win not only secured South Africa a place in the final but also marked the Proteas’ first-ever victory against Australia in a World Cup match. This outcome signaled a shift in the balance of power in women’s cricket, setting the stage for a historic final showdown.
South Africa vs Australia: Pre-match Build-up
The first semifinal between South Africa and Australia was one of the most anticipated matches of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. South Africa, determined to avenge their defeat to Australia in the 2023 final, entered the game with high expectations. Australia, having won six previous T20 World Cup titles and being the defending champions, were the favorites. However, they were without their influential captain, Alyssa Healy, who had been ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury sustained earlier against Pakistan. In Healy’s absence, Tahlia McGrath stepped in as captain, and the Australian side, though formidable, faced an uphill battle against a hungry South African team.
Australia Struggle with the Bat
Winning the toss, South Africa opted to field first, a decision that proved to be pivotal. With conditions favoring swing bowling early on, the South African bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, put Australia under immediate pressure. Grace Harris was the first to fall, slashing a delivery from Khaka straight to backward point for just three runs. Georgia Wareham followed soon after, caught behind off Kapp for five, leaving Australia reeling at 18-2 after just three overs.
Despite the early setbacks, Australia began to rebuild through Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath. The pair added 50 runs in just under 10 overs, keeping the scoreboard ticking but struggling to find boundaries. McGrath struck two fours off Nonkululeko Mlaba, but the sluggish pitch made it difficult for the Australian batters to accelerate. South Africa’s disciplined bowling and tight fielding restricted Australia’s run flow, forcing them to take risks.
McGrath eventually fell for 27, mistiming a slower ball from Mlaba straight to cover. Mooney, who looked set to anchor the innings, was run out for 44 after some brilliant fielding by Kapp off her own bowling, a moment that shifted the momentum further in South Africa’s favor. Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield added a late surge, with Perry scoring 31 off 23 balls. However, Australia’s total of 134-5 was below par, considering their usual standards.
Anneke Bosch and Laura Wolvaardt Shine in the Chase
Chasing 135 for a spot in the final, South Africa’s openers faced the formidable Australian bowling attack. Tazmin Brits got the innings off to a flying start by hitting Ashleigh Gardner for a towering six, but she was soon bowled by Annabel Sutherland for 15, leaving South Africa at 25-1. However, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt and the in-form Anneke Bosch took charge, forming a crucial 96-run partnership that all but sealed the game for the Proteas.
Wolvaardt, known for her composure under pressure, played a captain’s knock, scoring 42 off 37 balls, including three fours and a massive six off Darcie Brown. Her leadership and calculated aggression allowed South Africa to keep up with the required run rate. Meanwhile, Bosch was in a league of her own. Her unbeaten 74 off just 48 balls was a masterclass in timing and precision. Bosch’s innings included eight fours and a six, with her ability to find gaps and rotate strike keeping the pressure firmly on the Australian bowlers.
As the chase progressed, it became evident that South Africa was in full control. Bosch, in particular, made batting look effortless, dispatching the Australian spinners Gardner and Sophie Molineux to all parts of the ground. She brought up her half-century off just 31 balls, and from that point on, the result was inevitable. Wolvaardt’s dismissal in the 15th over, caught by McGrath off Sutherland, did little to halt South Africa’s momentum. With only 14 runs needed from five overs, Bosch ensured there were no late hiccups, finishing the game with a boundary off Megan Schutt to seal an emphatic win with 16 balls to spare.
Bosch: Player of the Match
Anneke Bosch’s stellar performance earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Reflecting on her innings, Bosch said, “It was quite tough out there, but I’m really glad we could get over the line. We knew we were capable of it, and we had a good tournament coming into this game. Our batters and bowlers have been really good.” Her unbeaten knock of 74 not only secured South Africa’s place in the final but also sent a strong message to the cricketing world that South Africa is a team to be reckoned with.
Australia Dominance Ends
For Australia, this defeat marked the end of a remarkable era of dominance in women’s cricket. Australia had won three consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup titles (2018, 2020, and 2023) and were on a 15-match winning streak in the tournament. However, their quest for a fourth straight title ended abruptly in Dubai. Beth Mooney, who top-scored for Australia with 44, became the fastest woman to reach 3,000 T20I runs during the match. Yet, her personal milestone was overshadowed by the team’s collective failure to perform in the crucial semifinal.
Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath expressed her disappointment after the match, acknowledging that Australia had not been at their best. “It’s going to be pretty hard to take. We just didn’t show up tonight, and you can’t afford to do that in tournaments like this. Full credit to South Africa, but we just weren’t at our best,” McGrath said in the post-match presentation.
South Africa Historic Moment
South Africa’s victory was more than just a win; it was a statement of intent. Having lost to Australia in the 2023 final on home soil, South Africa had waited for this moment to exact revenge. The victory was also historic as it was South Africa’s first win over Australia in a World Cup match, and it propelled them to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.
The result was particularly satisfying for Laura Wolvaardt, who had been part of the South African side that lost to Australia in the final the previous year. After the match, Wolvaardt described the win as one of the best moments of her career. “This is one of the best wins of my cricketing career. It’s been a real collective effort. We knew we had to get ahead of the rate early, and that’s exactly what we did,” said the South African captain.
Looking Ahead: South Africa in the Final
With this victory, South Africa advanced to the final, where they would face either West Indies or New Zealand. The Proteas, having come so close to glory in 2023, were now just one win away from becoming the first South African team, men or women, to win a World Cup. Their performances throughout the tournament, particularly their ability to handle pressure in crucial moments, had made them one of the favorites for the title.
The final, scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, was set to be a historic occasion. Regardless of the opponent, South Africa would enter the match with confidence, knowing they had already conquered the toughest challenge in the form of Australia.
The End of Australia Reign
For Australia, this defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Having dominated women’s cricket for so long, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in their side, particularly in the absence of their talismanic captain, Alyssa Healy. While the Australian team had depth and talent, they were unable to recover from the early blows dealt by South Africa’s bowlers. The result also raised questions about Australia’s future, as they look to rebuild and reclaim their status as the dominant force in women’s cricket.
Conclusion
South Africa’s triumph over Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal was a watershed moment for women’s cricket. It signaled the end of Australia’s dominance and the rise of a new contender in South Africa. Anneke Bosch and Laura Wolvaardt’s heroics with the bat, combined with South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack, showcased a team that was ready to take on the world.
