Australia bounces back with T20 series victory over South Africa

In a stunning comeback, Australia’s women’s cricket team secured a series-deciding win against South Africa in the T20 clash at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Tuesday. After shockingly defeating the
Proteas at Manuka Oval on Sunday, Australia claimed victory with a five-wicket final-over win, taking the three-match series 2-1.
Despite facing a challenging total of 7-162 set by South Africa, Australia successfully chased down the target with four balls to spare. Opener Beth Mooney played a crucial role, scoring 82 runs off 55 balls. Captain Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry fell early in the innings, but Mooney’s stellar performance, her second half-century of the series, guided Australia to victory.
Winning the toss once again, Australia chose to bowl first, and their decision seemed wise as South Africa found themselves at 3-28 after the initial five overs. However, a resilient 80-run partnership between Marizanne Kapp (75 off 48) and Anneke Bosch (21 off 24) helped South Africa recover, setting their highest-ever T20I score against Australia.
Marizanne Kapp, who played her 100th T20I for the Proteas, delivered a career-best T20 innings, scoring 75 off 48 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Despite surviving a dropped catch, Kapp’s impactful innings ended with a Talia McGrath yorker. Chloe Tryon contributed 26 off 16, and Sune Luus added an unbeaten 20 off 11, propelling South Africa to a competitive total of 162-7.
Australia’s successful run chase, led by Beth Mooney’s outstanding innings, secured the series victory. The Player of the Match rightfully went to Mooney for her match-winning performance. With the
T20 series concluded, attention now turns to the upcoming three-match ODI series scheduled to start on February 3 in Adelaide. The T20 series showcased thrilling cricket, with Australia dominating
the first match, South Africa bouncing back in the second, and Australia ultimately emerging victorious in the decider. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate more exciting clashes as the two teams prepare for the ODI leg.
In a post-match press conference, Marizanne Kapp expressed, “This was the closest we have come to winning a series against Australia. It
would have been brilliant if we had notched a win in Australia.”
Scores in Brief
South Africa 162-7 in 20 overs (Kapp 75, Tryon 26, McGrath 1/17, Wareham 1/25)
Australia 166-5 in 19.2 overs (Mooney 82, Gardner 25*, Klaas 1/13, Tryon 1/23)

Sunil Yash Kalra is a women’s cricket historian and founder of Indian Sports Fans.