Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia win their sixth title on Sunday©AFP
Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup for the sixth time when they beat South Africa by 19 runs in the final at Newlands on Sunday. Lead-off hitter Beth Mooney anchored the Australian innings, scoring an unbeaten 74 in a total of 156 for six. South Africa never had the required run rate and was limited to 137 for six despite opener Laura Wolvaardt hitting 61 off 48 balls.
Wolvaardt and semi-final heroine Tazmin Brits struggled to find gaps in the field, scoring just 17 runs before Brits was caught at half-way by Darcie Brown on the last ball of the fifth over.
Marizanne Kapp hit two boundaries but was out for 11 and South African captain Sune Luus was out for two. At that point, the home side needed another 103 runs off 56 balls.
Wolvaardt and hard-hitting Chloe Tryon gave hope to a crowd of nearly 15,000 with an attacking fourth wicket partnership of 55 from 37 balls, but the match was effectively over when Wolvaardt was leg for wicket to Megan Schutt in the 17th over.
The southpaw Mooney played measured innings, scoring her 74 runs off 53 balls as a succession of partners batted aggressively.
Ash Gardner and Grace Harris both batted ahead of captain Meg Lanning and appeared to have instructions to go for their shots.
South Africa’s bowlers put in a steady performance and were supported by enthusiastic fielding. Stalwarts Shabnim Ismail and Kapp both took two wickets each.
But Australia showed their quality by defending their total with athleticism and dedication that put the South African batsmen under constant pressure.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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