ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Australia won the trophy for the sixth time

Opener Beth Mooney propelled the Australian innings to 156 for six with an unbeaten 74.

South Africa were never above the required run rate and could only manage 137 for six despite opener Laura Wolvaardt scoring 61 off 48 balls.

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Wolvaardt and semi-final heroine Tazmin Brits struggled to find gaps in the field and made only 17 before Brits was caught at mid-on off the last ball of the fifth over by D’Arcy Brown.

Marijan Kapp hit two fours but was dismissed for 11 runs and South African captain Sune Luus was run out after scoring two runs. At that point the home team needed 103 more runs from 56 balls.

Wolvaardt and the hard-hitting Chloe Tryon wowed a near-capacity crowd of around 15,000 with an aggressive fourth-wicket partnership of 55 off 37 balls, but the match effectively ended when Megan Schutt was caught leg before by Wolvaardt in the 17th over. Took the wicket before.

The left-handed Mooney played a measured innings, scoring 74 off 53 balls, while a succession of partners batted aggressively.

Ash Gardner and Grace Harris both batted ahead of captain Meg Lanning and appeared to be under instructions to go for their shots.

South Africa’s bowlers put in a consistent performance and were supported by a spirited fielding. Veterans Shabnam Ismail and Kapp both took two wickets each.

But Australia showed their quality in defending their total with athleticism and commitment that kept the South African batsmen under constant pressure.

Abbreviated Score:

Australia 156-6 in 20 overs (B. Mooney 74 not out; S. Ismail 2-26, M. Kapp 2-35) vs South Africa 137-6 in 20 overs (L. Wolvaardt 61).

Result: Australia won by 19 runs

Toss: Australia

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