History was created in Dubai when Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa Women stunned Australia Women in the Semi Final 1 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, marking the end of Australia Women’s campaign with a thumping 8-wicket victory.
This may seem like any other cricketing triumph, but it is not. This one carries greater significance, since Laura Wolvaardt‘s Proteas were up against the mighty Aussies – the defending champions who had emerged victorious in 6 out of the 8 Women’s T20 World Cups that have been held prior to this edition.
On Sunday, South Africa Women, under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, will play in the Final of this tournament, one which will be held without Australia Women for the first time in 15 years, which speaks volumes about the magnitude of what Laura Wolvaardt’s girls achieved on Thursday.
On that note, let us look at what led South Africa Women to a staggering win against Australia Women in the Semi Final:
1) Keeping Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath quiet
Despite Laura Wolvaardt’s smart captaincy, the Aussies managed to post 134 on the board, thanks to quickfire cameos from the ever so reliable Ellyse Perry, and the talented Phoebe Litchfield. However, this could have been a 150+ total had Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath delivered the blows that they are capable of delivering.
Beth Mooney has been a part of this formidable Australian unit for the last decade or so, while Tahlia McGrath has lit up the stage ever since her T20I debut in 2021, managing to even become the number one ranked T20I batter in women’s cricket during this period.
While Beth Mooney has a T20I career strike rate of 123, Tahlia McGrath strikes at over 130. But, on Thursday, the South African bowlers ensured that this pair failed to get going. Beth Mooney scored 44 off 42 deliveries, while Tahlia McGrath scored only 27 off 33 deliveries, striking at under run-a-ball, which is very unlike her style of batting.
The two batters had a 50-run partnership, but they struck at only 5.5 runs an over during this phase. Considering the batting depth that the Australian side possesses, with Annabel Sutherland – a Test cricket double centurion – coming in at number 8, these two could have hit the accelerator earlier.
Thanks to some tight lines and smart bowling from the South African bowlers, the pair failed to guide Australia to a bigger total.
2) Taking their chances in the field
The 2024 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World cup hasn’t been great in terms of fielding, with over a hundred dropped catches across 21 games.
In a tournament where almost 5 catches have been dropped per game, Laura Wolvaardt’s side capitalized on the opportunities that came their way against the Aussies, which they had to if they were to mount a serious challenge.
Although an Ellyse Perry chance went begging in the 19th over, the Proteas were right on the money for the rest of the innings. Anneke Bosch, who could do nothing wrong on the day, took a good catch diving forward to get rid of the dangerous Grace Harris.
Then, it was a direct hit from Marizanne Kapp off her own bowling which sent Beth Mooney back to the pavilion.
Tazmin Britz took a fine catch near the boundary ropes on the last ball of the innings, and with the way the ball was traveling after a sweet connection from Ellyse Perry, she potentially stopped it from sailing over the ropes.
Had it been a six and had the target been 140+, maybe the added mental pressure could have affected their approach while chasing.
3- Anneke Bosch playing the innings of her life with Laura Wolvaardt playing second fiddle
It required something special to get the better of a side that has owned the competition over the last decade or so, and Anneke Bosch produced precisely that to guide South Africa Women to a famous win.
This was exactly the type of total that makes chasing sides put their thinking caps on. They face a dilemma, whether to stay cautious and take it deep, or to go after it and play attacking cricket.
Anneke Bosch took the second route, as she smacked 8 fours and a solitary six in her knock of 74, coming off just 48 deliveries. She ensured that South Africa Women did not slow down after losing Tazmin Britz inside the powerplay.
She stitched up a 96-run stand with skipper Laura Wolvaardt, and this is the partnership that sealed the game for the chasing side. Anneke Bosch toyed with the fielding, consistently rotating strike and piercing the field with her drives, sweeps and switch hits.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime knock from Anneke Bosch, and surely one that has gone straight into the history books.
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