Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Australia set 135 runs target for South Africa

The six-champions Australia Women scored 134/5 in 20 overs against South Africa Women during the first innings of the first semi-final in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 at Dubai. 

After South Africa Women captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss, she chose to field first. While they restricted Australia Women to 134 runs, it was the lowest completed total for Australia Women in this tournament. 

Two early wickets

South Africa Women had a great start by picking two wickets in the early powerplay. While Ayabonga Khaka took the wicket of opener Grace Harris (3) on her first ball of the match as Anneke Bosch took a good catch at backward point, Georgia Wareham was caught behind in the next over as Marizanne Kapp took that wicket after a successful review.

Mooney had a great role

Opener Beth Mooney and the stand-in captain Tahila McGrath handled the early situation well as Australia Women scored 35/2 at the end of the powerplay. They ultimately had a 50-run partnership for the third wicket before McGrath was dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Before her dismissal, McGrath scored 27 off 33 balls with the help of three fours.

Mooney then had a quick 31-run partnership with the all-rounder Ellyse Perry for the fourth wicket. Before her run-out, the opener Mooney scored 44 off 42 balls with the help of two fours.

Perry and Litchfield had great cameos

Perry and Phoebe Litchfield had some good cameos as they put up a 35-run fifth-wicket partnership before Perry's dismissal on the last ball. Perry scored another valuable 31 off 23 balls with two fours, and Litchfield was not out on 16 off just nine balls with three fours. 

Among the South Africa Women bowlers, Ayabonga Khaka (2/24) took two wickets, while Marizanne Kapp (1/24) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/31) picked up one wicket each.