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South Africa fall short in T20 series against Australia

cricket30 January 2024 13:44| © MWP
By:Liryn de Jager
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A second explosive batting display by Beth Mooney saw Australia clinch the T20I series against South Africa 2-1.

Chasing 163, Australia won the third and final match in the series at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart by five wickets. The home team finished on 166 for five after the visitors earlier scored 162 for seven.

Mooney was named player of the match for her impressive knock of 82 of just 55 that included 11 fours and one six. She also scored 72 not out in the first match.

Not to be outdone, Marizanne Kapp got in on the action with her 75 from 48, her highest in the shortest format of the game. It was her 100th T20I match.

Protea captain Laura Wolvaardt afterwards said it was unfortunate they didn’t manage to get over the line, especially since their score was their highest T20I total against Australia.

“We were excited after the victory on Sunday. I feel we batted well, Kappie was exceptional. But we left about 10-20 runs out there, with 180 probably on. I feel if we had gotten Mooney out earlier, we would have had a chance.

“It is a quick turnaround for the ODIs but it is nice to have an extended tour. We hope to once again be competitive.”

After her batting heroics, Kapp was also entrusted with opening the bowling. Ayabonga Khaka did duty from the other side. Fielding a ball in the second over, Nadine de Klerk seemed to injure her one hand and was taken off the pitch for medical attention. She returned in the fifth over.

Nonkululeko Mlaba took over from the duo in the fourth over, with her first ball promptly dispatched for a massive six by world No 1 T20 batter Mooney. She was somewhat vindicated three balls later when Wolvaardt took an easy catch at cover that saw the end of Australian captain Alyssa Healy for 10 (7b, 1x4) and with the home team on 32.

Just as it looked like Ellyse Perry was getting on top of the South African bowling attack, Chloe Tryon skidded one through that saw the bails flying. The Aussie batter had to walk back for 13 (10b, 3x4). Australia was on 57 for two.

In the next over, Sinalo Jafta took a solid dipping catch behind the wicket from the bowling of Masabata Klaas that saw the departure of Phoebe Litchfield for 4 (4b).

At the halfway mark, Australia was on 77 for three (Mooney 45, Tahlia McGrath 3), needing 86 from 60.

Mooney’s 50 was up in the 13th over (53*, 39b, 7x4, 1x6). Her 72 not out was the foundation for the Aussies’ victory in the first match.

De Klerk got in on the action when McGrath hit it straight to Tryon on the edge of the ring. She had to walk back for 16 (17b, 1x6) and with the score on 104 for four.

The last five overs saw Australia needing 44 runs to clinch the series victory.

Mooney’s fantastic knock (82, 55b, 11x4, 1x6) finally came to an end with just 14 from 13 needed for victory when Anneke Bosch took an easy catch from the bowling off Khaka.

Gardner hit the winning runs with four balls to spare to finish on 25 not out (17b, 3x4, 1x6 ). Grace Harris was at the other end on eight not out (6b).

Earlier the South African innings started on a wobbly note when Tazmin Brits (0, 4b) was caught by Grace Harris on the long on boundary off the bowling of Ash Gardner.

Just as it seemed South Africa was gaining some momentum, they lost their second wicket with the score on 28 when Harris took her second catch and Wolvaardt had to depart for 15 (13b, 3x4). It gave Megan Schutt her first wicket of the match.

Harris was on fire in the fifth over as just two balls later a direct hit had Sune Luus run out without scoring (2b). With South Africa wobbling on 28 for three, it was up to Kapp and new batter Bosch to steady the ship.

At the halfway mark, with South Africa on 62 for three, the momentum started shifting towards the Proteas with both Kapp and Bosch punishing the Australian bowlers.

First it was Brown who leaked 14 runs in the 11th over and then Georgia Wareham could only watch as the 50-run partnership (51 of 39) between Kapp (34*) and Bosch (16*) was up in the 12th. Kapp’s 50 (52, 34b, 8x4) followed in the next over.

Annabel Sutherland delivered the breakthrough that Australia desperately needed when a midwicket catch by Brown saw the back of Bosch for 21 (24b, 3x4). South Africa was on 108 for four.

Kapp’s superb innings finally came to an end when McGrath bowled her for 75 (48b, 10x4, 1x6). As Chloe Tryon tried to push pm, she got a top edge from Wareham that took a comfortable catch from her own bowling. Tryon scored 26 (16b, 2x4, 1x6).

Despite Jafta’s runout in the last over (1, 3b), De Klerk managed to sneak in another 14 runs to finish on 20 not out (11b, 3x4).

The three-match ODI series starts on Saturday 3 February at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

AUSTRALIA: Alyssa Healy (capt), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka.

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