Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia adds another chapter to glorious legacy

At the St. George’s Park in Gqeberha forward of their conflict in opposition to Bangladesh within the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Ashleigh Gardner, Megan Schutt and Kim Garth sat glued to a mobile-phone display to look at the public sale for the inaugural Women’s Premier League. The eighth version of the World Cup had bought underway three days earlier, however all eyes have been on this public sale in Mumbai. “It is the elephant in the room,” admitted Sophie Devine, the New Zealand captain, at a press convention.

Australians have been expectedly in large demand on the public sale, and theirs was the crew to beat on the World Cup. They had to date received all of the T20 World Cup crowns on supply besides in 2009, when England received, and in 2016, when underdog West Indies sprang a shock in Kolkata.

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Before the World Cup, Australia had suffered a uncommon loss, to India within the Super Over in Navi Mumbai in December 2022. That defeat was within the second of a five-match sequence; the scoreline then learn 1-1. It went on to win its subsequent three matches to win the sequence 4-1, underlining its supremacy but once more. It was after clean-sweeping Pakistan at residence that Meg Lanning’s crew flew to South Africa for the marquee occasion.

Invincible

Lanning had taken a break from cricket after the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham — the place Australia predictably grabbed the gold medal — earlier than returning to steer the crew for the sequence in opposition to Pakistan. She has been good as a pacesetter, moreover being the mainstay of her crew’s batting group.

It expectedly breezed via the league stage, posting wins over New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa to arrange a semifinal conflict with India. Harmanpreet Kaur’s ladies bumped into the Aussies within the final 4 as a result of they completed second of their group, behind England. India misplaced to England by 11 runs regardless of a late assault from wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh (47 n.o., 34b). India certified for the semifinals after beating Ireland. In a rain-affected match determined by the DLS methodology, Ireland, in reply to India’s 155 for six, was six runs brief when the match was stopped within the ninth over.

Ahead of the semifinal at Cape Town, the Australians will need to have been cautious as a result of India has been their largest rival in current occasions. Back in 2021, it was India that ended its unimaginable profitable streak of 26 ODIs — that, too, in Australia.

Nail-biting affair

At Newlands, it seemed as if India would spoil Australia’s celebration but once more regardless of a difficult whole of 172 for 4. Opener Beth Mooney’s 54 (37b), Lanning’s unbeaten 49 (34b), Gardner’s 31 (18b), and inept fielding by India have been the primary contributors in that whole. India’s reply started disastrously – it was diminished to 34 for 3 when Yastika Bhatia ran herself out. But Jemimah Rodrigues (43, 24b) and Harmanpreet (52, 34b) staged an excellent fightback, including 69 runs for the fourth wicket.

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Richa now joined Harmanpreet, who was trying in nice contact. But Harmanpreet was run out at a vital juncture whereas making an attempt a second run. Her bat bought caught on the bottom, however she was maybe a bit sluggish as she tried to return to her crease. You take an opportunity in opposition to this Australian aspect at your personal peril. The manner Ellyse Perry saved a few runs on the boundary with an unimaginable run, pick-up and throw alone would show that time.

India misplaced by 5 runs, and Harmanpreet’s disappointment was apparent, regardless of her try to cover her emotions by sporting sun shades. Her anguish is comprehensible, however India has to work on its recreation, particularly fielding, if it needs to emulate its junior aspect that received the inaugural Women’s U-19 World Cup in South Africa.

Sune Luus’s South Africa confirmed the significance of fielding when it shocked England within the different semifinal. Tazmin Brits alone took 4 catches — together with a shocking one off Alice Capsey — to assist South Africa guide its berth within the last. Brits had earlier top-scored for South Africa with 68 (55b) and had added 96 for the opening wicket with Laura Wolvaardt (53, 44b). The host made 164 for 4 which proved sufficient for its sharp bowling assault.

Pacers Shabnim Ismail, who breathed fireplace, and Ayabonga Khaka took seven wickets between them. Danni Wyatt (34, 30b) and Sophia Dunkley (28, 16b) gave an amazing begin to the run chase, placing on 53 contained in the Powerplay, however they each have been caught by Brits.

Heart-breaking finish for South Africa

In the ultimate, performed earlier than a full-house at Newlands, the South African dream was shattered by the ruthless Aussies. Their whole of 156 for six could have seemed beneath par, however not for this crew.

Australia’s innings was constructed round one more good effort by opener Beth Mooney (74 n.o., 53b). She accelerated simply when it was required. No one else reached 30 however Gardner, who was promoted to No. 3 on a sluggish wicket, scored 29 off 21 deliveries. Wolvaardt, one of the crucial fashionable batters round, saved South Africa within the hunt together with her polished 61 (48b), however she was trapped lbw by Schutt. South Africa misplaced by 19 runs.

It was a heart-breaking finish for the hosts however they need to be happy with their marketing campaign, which had begun on a disastrous be aware — with a loss to Sri Lanka within the opening match. There was controversy too: captain Dane van Niekerk was dropped after she failed — by 18 seconds — a health check.

Their efficiency appears to have caught the nation’s creativeness. This is one in every of its higher moments in sport after the boys’s rugby crew received the 1995 World Cup, a match made unforgettable for the best way Nelson Mandela used sport to heal a nation bruised by racism. And keep in mind, this was the primary time {that a} South African cricket crew — male or feminine — reached a World Cup last. Big crowds turned as much as watch the ladies.

The crowds on the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup — and the big variety of eyeballs all over the world for reside telecast — proved that ladies’s cricket was quickly rising in recognition. South Africa’s efficiency additionally augurs nicely for the expansion of the ladies’s recreation however the primary spotlight of the match was Australia’s relentless march to its sixth title — it was one more feather within the cap for Lanning and her troops.