Ky-Bosched! South Africa stuns Australia to end T20 World Cup reign

A tournament of surprises continued after South Africa eliminated favorites Australia to book their place in a second successive T20 World Cup final

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An inspired South Africa led by Anneke Bosch shattered Australia’s dreams of a fourth successive T20 World Cup title, paving the way for a dominant semi-final victory by eight wickets.

The Proteas will have a second chance to win their first ICC senior trophy on Sunday after an excellent bowling display restricted Australia’s powerful batting line-up to 4-134 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Injured Australian captain Alyssa Healy could only watch from the bench as Proteas No.3 Bosch (74th out of 48) and captain Laura Wolvaardt (42nd out of 37) hammered the Australian attack, guiding their team to a famous victory in 17.2 balances.

It was only their second victory over Australia, whose six-year reign as T20 World Cup champions has come to an end, as they lose the tournament final for just the second time, and the first since the inaugural event in 2009.

It also means that none of the world’s top three ranked teams will take part in the tournament final, with the Proteas facing the winner of Friday’s second semi-final between West Indies and New Zealand (1am Saturday AEDT).

Beth Mooney (44 from 42) and Ellyse Perry (31 from 23) fought hard to see Australia through to a sub-par 4-134 in an innings that never really looked like getting started.

South Africa adopted a more aggressive approach in their chase, with openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (15) attacking Australia in the Powerplay, and while the latter was bowled by Annabel Sutherland, Bosch arrived at mid-on with serious intent.

Wolvaardt had spoken of her team’s belief in her press conference the night before and this was evident when she and Bosch ravaged the Australian attack, reaching 1-74 at halfway, leaving South Africa needing 61 from 60 to have a chance at history. .

On many occasions Australia have found a way back into the game when under pressure with the ball – they did so twice in the 2023 T20 World Cup finals en route to the title – but on this occasion they had no answer for the Proteas.

Wolvaardt was rock solid, finding the boundary three times and going over it once, but it was Bosch who produced his best innings of the tournament – and probably of his career – hammering eight fours and a six on his way to a Half century from 31 balls.

She hit Ashleigh Gardner for four balls after reaching the milestone, and ensured South Africa could remain in cruise control as they cruised to victory with 2.4 overs to spare, marking their second date with destiny.

Earlier, the Proteas put Australia in to bat and then produced a disciplined display to tame Australia’s deep batting line-up and restrict them to 4-134.

Without Healy, Grace Harris (3) again joined Beth Mooney at the top of the order but became the first wicket to fall when she was caught by Bosch at late point of Ayabonga Khaka’s first over.

Georgia Wareham’s (5) promotion to third came to nothing as she hit a single boundary before being caught behind. Referee Jacqueline Williams was initially unmoved before a confident South Africa overturned the decision under review.

Australia reached 2-35 at the end of the Powerplay and from then on the Proteas tightened their grip even further, tying up Tahlia McGrath and denying Mooney.

Just three boundaries were scored between the sixth and 11th overs as Australia held 2-53 midway through their innings.

Often, Australia’s star-studded batting line-up managed to step on the gas during the second half of their innings, but there was no release of pressure when McGrath struck straight the rotation of Non-kululeko Mlaba for a 33-ball 27.

The boundary drought continued before Mooney finally found the rope in the 16th over, only to be run out a little later.

The arrival of Phoebe Litchfield (16 off 9) finally added some momentum to Australia’s innings, with 35 runs coming from the final 3.1 overs before Perry was caught at deep off the final ball of the innings.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Australian Group A matches

October 5th: beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

October 8: beat New Zealand by 60 runs

October 11: beat Pakistan by nine wickets

October 13th: beat India by nine runs

Finals

October 17th: Semi-final 1: South Africa beat Australia by eight wickets

October 18: Semi-Final 2: West Indies v New Zealand, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 1pm, October 19 AEDT

October 20th: Final, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 1am, October 21 AEDT

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