Women’s T20 World Cup Final: Invincible Australia stand in way of South Africa and World Cup history

After all the excitement and thrill in the Group games and semi-finals, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 is all set for the final to be played on Sunday, February 26 at Newlands in Cape Town.

South Africa must be brimming with confidence after becoming the first senior team to advance to a World Cup final. Sune Luus and Co. beat Heather Knight’s England by six runs in the semi-final.

However, numbers and odds don’t favor them going into the final. South Africa are yet to beat Australia in the WT20Is out of six meetings. It’s pertinent to note that both teams are yet to face each other outside the T20 World Cups.

Earlier in the tournament, Australia beat South Africa by six wickets after chasing down 125 in 16.3 overs. Tahlia McGrath became the Player of the Match after she played a masterful knock of 57 off 33 with 10 fours.

Australia need to be wary of South Africa’s pace trio of Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, and Ayobonga Khaka. The speedsters have 20 wickets to their name and played a crucial role in the semis against the English team.

Australia, on the other hand, would be looking to be a bit more disciplined in their bowling department. They bowled nine wides and two no-balls against India and looked down and out at one point in time.

But with India needing 39 runs to win off 30 balls, the Aussies showed nerves of steel to stage a comeback. Having already won five T20 World Cup titles, Meg Lanning and Co. will be looking for their sixth.

Head to Head
Overall

Matches – 6, Australia – 6, South Africa – 0

In T20 World Cups

Matches – 6, Australia – 6, South Africa – 0

Players to watch out for
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Marizanne Kapp was quiet with the bat in the league stage where South Africa edged past New Zealand to finish second in Group A. But she found her mojo with the willow in the semis when her unbeaten 13-ball 27 played a crucial part in South Africa’s victory. Kapp is also South Africa’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the championship along with Khaka, having picked up seven wickets.

Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)

Ashleigh Gardner has been one of the main reasons why Australia advanced to the final of the World Cup. She is the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Aussies along with fast bowler Megan Schutt, having picked up nine wickets. Gardner’s role with the bat in the middle order has been priceless as well. It was her knock of 31 off 18 balls that helped Australia get the finishing kick in their innings against India.

Probable XIs

Australia

Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

South Africa

Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba