@T20WorldCup
South Africa’s hopes of a home victory in the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup fell agonisingly short in Cape Town on Sunday after they lost to Australia by 19 runs.
This was despite the heroics of opener Laura Wolvaardt, who made her first 50 against Australia but was trapped LBW after a swashbuckling 61 off 48 balls.
Her opening partner, Tazmin Britz, made 10 runs off 17 balls, while Marizanne Kapp made a run-a-ball 11.
There was bitter disappointment for Captain Sune Luus who was run out for two after a mix-up with Wolvaardt in her first World Cup final. Chloe Tryon made 25 off 23 balls before being bowled.
Shabnim Ismail however had something to smile about after returning figures of two for 24 runs, becoming the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup with 43 wickets in 32 matches.
Australia finished on 156 for 6 after 20 overs, winning their sixth ICC Women’s T20 title.
Their top order did the damage with opener and player of the match Beth Mooney clubbing 74 off 53 balls, supported by Ashleigh Gardner who made 29 from 21 balls.
Speaking post-match, leading runs scorer Wolvaardt said it was a tough day but said “Australia was always going to be a tough side in the final.”
