South Africa scripted history with a memorable six-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, marking their first-ever win against the reigning world champions in any format of the game.
Chasing a target of 143, the Proteas achieved the victory with six balls to spare, finishing at 144 for four. Captain Laura Wolvaardt played a crucial innings, remaining unbeaten with 58 runs and earning the player of the match title.
Wolvaardt commended her team’s outstanding performance, expressing pride in their achievement against the formidable Australian side. The South African opening duo, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, provided a solid start with a partnership that included well-executed shots and boundaries.
The Proteas reached their 50 in the seventh over, with Wolvaardt on 19 and Brits on 31. Brits’ departure at 75, caught by a running overhead catch from Georgia Wareham, paved the way for Marizanne Kapp to join Wolvaardt in the middle.
Despite Kapp’s dismissal and a minor setback, Wolvaardt, alongside new batter Chloe Tryon, ensured a stylish victory. Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 58, supported by Tryon’s 4 runs, sealed the historic win. Australia’s Ash Gardner claimed two wickets for 26.
In the first innings, Australia faced some challenges as Ayabonga Khaka dropped a catch in the second over, providing Beth Mooney a lifeline. However, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, and a mini-collapse saw them at 93 for five. Gardner’s departure marked the sixth wicket, and a late partnership between Harris and Wareham added respectability to Australia’s total.
The last match of the series is scheduled for January 30 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, with the three-match ODI series starting on February 3 at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
The definition of a captain’s knock, and one of Laura Wolvaardt’s most important fifties ???? #PlayoftheDay #AUSvSA @hcltech pic.twitter.com/t7cKaFC6Es
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 28, 2024
Teams:
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sun Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (capt), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Heather Graham, Megan Schutt.
Main Image: Daily Maverick
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