Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Australia secure semi-final berth with 6-wicket win over hosts South Africa

Defending champions Australia have become the first team to storm into the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 after defeating the hosts South Africa.

Australia secured a six-wicket victory over South Africa to enter their eighth consecutive semi-final in the history of the tournament. The win also confirmed that Australia will top Group 1.

Meg Lanning’s Australia, who were without Alyssa Healy as she was nursing a quad strain, restricted Sune Luus-led South Africa to 124/6 after putting the hosts into bat.

South Africa had a decent start with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting 41 runs together in the powerplay. Ellyse Perry got the breakthrough for Australia as she dismissed Wolvaardt for 19. One brought two as Darcie Brown sent incoming No.3 Marizanne Kapp packing for a two-ball duck.

Brits was denied a half-century as Georgia Wareham cleaned her up for 45. Four balls later in the 12th over, Wareham got rid of big-hitter Chloe Tryon cheaply for one. Captain Sune Luus could not stay longer as she was bowled by Ash Gardner for 20.

For Australia, Wareham returned with two wickets, while Perry, Brown, Gardner and Schutt all took one each.

In reply, Perry opened Australia’s innings alongside Beth Mooney while chasing the target of 125. The move did not benefit Australia much, as Kapp got rid of Perry for 11. Nonkululeko Mlaba got the big wicket of Australia captain Meg Lanning (1).

Kapp returned to bag the wicket of her Perth Scorchers teammate Mooney (20). Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner (28*) quickly revived Australia, who were at 40/3 after seven overs. McGrath hit a fifty before Masabata Klaas removed her for 57. The damage was already done by McGrath.

The incoming Grace Harris hit the winning boundary, taking Australia home with 21 balls to spare.