Revenge is a dish finest served chilly. South Africa settled scores with Australia for that heartbreaking loss within the T20 World Cup remaining final 12 months with a dominant eight-wicket thrashing of the defending champion within the first semifinal of the 2024 version on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium on Thursday.
The Proteas, bidding for his or her maiden world title, bullishly went about their chase of 135. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch stitched a large 96-run stand to set the stage for a well-known win towards an opponent South Africa has overwhelmed in internationals just one different time within the format.
In a sport that left faithfuls reminiscing about Meg Lanning’s imperious skills to defend probably the most subpar of totals, McGrath and Co. appeared like deer in headlights. Bosch’s unbeaten 74 helped the Proteas romp house with 16 balls to spare, making this the primary World Cup remaining (throughout white ball codecs) to not characteristic a minimum of considered one of Australia or England.
Earlier, Wolvaardt opted to subject. Alyssa Healy teased followers and opponents alike by popping out in her sport equipment with out the moon boots, crutches and with no limp. That little cameo was solely meant for the workforce photograph.
Grace Harris stored her spot and began towards Marizanne Kapp cheekily, scooping her for a few runs behind the keeper. Ayabonga Khaka eliminated Harris off the primary ball of the second over with Bosch taking a superb low catch at backward level.
Australia managed simply 38/2 within the first six overs – its lowest PowerPlay rating on this version.
Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus solely gave 9 runs off the following 18 deliveries in complete with boundaries drying up for the defending champion. Tahlia McGrath, who as soon as once more got here above Ellyse Perry, and Mooney have been each unable to interrupt free from the chokehold and ate up helpful deliveries within the course of. Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed her tenth wicket of the version as she removed McGrath with a slower supply mistimed to Annerie Dercksen at cowl level.
Australia was in a position to speed up solely within the 18th over. Perry and Phoebe Litchfield’s 35-run stand might have helped the facet to 134/5 however ultimately a second try at a four-peat of T20 World crowns slipped by the Aussies’ palms.