The South African Proteas Women’s XI squad did it again and beat the odds against the world’s No1 ranked Australian team, to move into the T20 World Cup Final in Dubai.
The Proteas won the toss and selected to send their rivals, and the winners of the previous World Cup, in to bat first. A strategy that certainly paid off.
Australia had never before lost a T20 World Cup Semi-Final clash and were in top for after having no losses in the group stage of the tournament.
They however were never allowed to settle in with the Proteas taking the early wicket of opening batter, Grace Harris, in the second over, with only 5 runs on the scoreboard.
The wicket was a combination of a great ball by Ayabonga Khaka outside her off-stump with a superb catch by Anneke Bosch fielding at backward point.
The loss of momentum was never really regained as the second wicket of Georgia Wareham was taken in the third over
Opening batter Beth Mooney did go on to make a useful 44 runs before being run out by Marizanne Kapp in the 17th over.
Ayabonga Khaka ended with top bowling figures of 2/24 off 4 overs with Marizanne Kapp also taking a wicket alongside her run-out.
Odds of a win for Australia were at 90% before the match and at 66% after their batting innings, but the odds makers were not taking into account the fighting spirit of this wonderful South African team.
Captain Laura Wolvaard, who got the Proteas innings off to a great start, scored a fine 42 runs.
But it was Anneke Bosch, with a magnificent score of 74 runs off 48 balls, including eight fours and a single six, and was not at the close of play, who’s incredible performance took the Proteas into the Final this weekend.
South Africa will face the winner of today’s other semi final between a spirited West Indies and New Zealand, in the final that is scheduled to be played on Sunday 20 October at 16H00 South African time.
The post Protea Women Beat the Odds appeared first on EntertainmentSA News South Africa.
Post a Comment