Beth Mooney’s 74 and Australia’s athleticism within the discipline assist defending champions declare their sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title in opposition to hosts South Africa.
Australia have gained the Women’s T20 World Cup for the sixth time as they defeated South Africa by 19 runs within the remaining at Newlands, Cape Town.
Helped by opening batter Beth Mooney’s innings of 74, the defending champions posted a complete of 156 for six of their 20 overs within the remaining on Sunday.
A vociferous crowd backed the home crew of their first look at a ladies’s world cup remaining, however the hosts struggled to maintain up with the required run price from the beginning, and had been restricted to 137 for six in reply.
Australia had been pre-match favourites, and their expertise with bat and ball confirmed on a gradual wicket as they retained the title they gained on home soil in 2020.
Mooney magic
The left-handed Mooney performed a measured innings, scoring her 74 runs off 53 balls whereas a succession of companions batted aggressively.
With South Africa allowed solely three fielders exterior the circle within the remaining over due to a gradual over price, Mooney hit the primary two balls from Shabnim Ismail for six and 4 to present the defending champions hope of a high-scoring end.
But Ismail claimed two wickets with successive balls to peg again Australia.
South Africa’s bowlers carried out steadily and had been backed up by enthusiastic fielding.
South Africa’s chase was led by Laura Wolvaardt, who scored an excellent 61 however had little assist, and Australia’s intelligent use of tempo and size strangled the scoring price for big elements of the innings.
Wolvaardt and semifinal heroine Tazmin Brits struggled to seek out gaps within the discipline and scored solely 17 runs earlier than Brits was caught at mid-on off Darcie Brown off the final ball of the fifth over.
Marizanne Kapp hit two boundaries however was out for 11, and South Africa captain Sune Luus was run out for 2. At that stage, the home aspect wanted one other 103 runs off 56 balls.
Wolvaardt and the hard-hitting Chloe Tryon gave a near-capacity crowd of about 15,000 hope with an attacking fourth wicket partnership of 55 off 37 balls, however the match was successfully over when Wolvaardt was leg earlier than wicket to Megan Schutt within the 17th over.
Australia confirmed their high quality in defending their whole with athleticism and dedication that put the South African batters below fixed strain.
‘Terrific experience’ for home crew
Mooney, who was declared participant of the match, mentioned enjoying in entrance of a partisan crowd was “special”.
“I wasn’t calm. The crowd was impressive and not many were cheering for us,” she mentioned after her crew gained their third consecutive T20 World Cup.
South Africa’s main scorer Wolvaardt admitted Australia had been the dominant crew, however mentioned it was an unbelievable match for her aspect.
“I live down the road so it was a terrific experience,” she mentioned.
In the post-match presentation, South Africa’s captain Sune Luus mentioned Australia have set a benchmark for different groups to dwell as much as, however was happy with her personal crew’s efforts.
“We have set the platform today and throughout the tournament,” Luus mentioned referring to her crew’s success over better-ranked sides through the match.
“To play to this crowd with so many people watching and supporting, we never imagined.”