Women's T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa qualify for final for second consecutive time after stunning win against Australia

South Africa Women stunned the six-time champions Australia Women after beating them by eight wickets at Dubai in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. 

After South Africa Women chose to bowl first, they restricted Australia Women to 134/5 in 20 overs. In reply, South Africa Women reached the target in 17.2 overs after losing only both openers. 

South Africa got a good start

South Africa Women got the first two wickets early in the powerplay as Ayabonga Khaka dismissed the opener Grace Harris (3) on her first delivery and Marizanne Kapp took the wicket of Georgia Wareham for just five runs.

Mooney and McGrath built up a challenge

Opener Beth Mooney and stand-in captain Tahil McGrath secured a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. After McGrath was out for 27 off 33 balls, Mooney and Ellyse Perry tried to control the innings.

Perry and Litchfield finished with the challenging total

Mooney was run out after scoring 44 off 42 balls. Perry and Phoebe Litchfield handled the slog overs, as Perry scored 31 off 23 balls and Litchfield was not out for 16 runs off nine balls. 

Among the South African bowlers, Ayabonga Khaka took two wickets (2/24).

South Africa batted strongly in the powerplay

In reply, South Africa Women started strongly by scoring 43/1 at the end of the powerplay. Although the opener Tanzim Brits was bowled by Annabel Sutherland for run-a-ball 15 runs, her opening partner and captain Laura Wolvaardt was solid with Anneke Bosch.

Anneke Bosch won the Player of the Match award

While Bosch struggled in this entire tournament, she played a massive role in the crucial semi-final. She had a 96-run partnership with the skipper for the second wicket and finished the game successfully.

Bosch recorded her fifth WT20I half-century in 31 balls. Although Wolvaardt was dismissed after scoring 42 off 37 balls, there was no struggle for the Proteas to reach the target. 

The Player of the Match Bosch managed the highest score in her WT20I career after remaining not out on 74 runs off 48 balls with the help of eight fours and one six. 

Only Annabel Sutherland managed to pick up a wicket in that successful chasing, as she ended with the bowling figures of 4-0-26-2. 

While South Africa Women are set to play their second consecutive Women's T20 WC final, the ninth edition will be the only second edition in the Women's T20 World Cup history when Australia Women aren't playing the final.