Aussies down South Africa in flying start to World Cup
Ben Findon
Australia made a strong statement of intent for the women’s T20 World Cup, losing their opening match to South Africa by 65 runs.
The Australians posted 8-172 from 20 overs in Manchester on Saturday; It was a target that always seemed too much for South Africa, who were run out for 107 with 16.4 overs to play.
Australia’s player of the match Georgia Wareham praised the Australian spirit by hitting a crucial knock with 3-13, singling out top scorer Phoebe Litchfield with 50 and new captain Sophie Molineux with special praise.
“You know you can play with confidence and freedom with our batting line-up. Phoebe has been fantastic and a good all-round performance by the team,” he said.
“As a bowling line-up we are also versatile, we know we are good at keeping it tight and keeping it on the field.
“Soph was great [as captain]”It instills a lot of freedom in the group and makes us believe that we can do well in the tournament.”
Molineux, who took the wickets of both South African openers, said: “We were in trouble initially but we were really pleased with the way the girls bounced back and climbed through our bowling.
“We have a team of upper and mid-level players who can play all over the park and give their best shot when they get into action. It’s great to see them play freely.”
It was true that some Australian batsmen underperformed slightly, but their depth was so strong that they still managed to put up a daunting total. It was certainly too much for the South Africans.
The Australian attack soon gained momentum and bowled out Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk (the latter clean bowled by Wareham) in the first seven overs, leaving the South Africans on 48 all out.
Australia dropped De Klerk in the powerplay but Wareham made two crucial tackles on the field in addition to his three wickets.
Already on a significant run, Wareham edged the dangerous all-round Marizanne Kapp for 12 with an accurate delivery from deep and then made a smart low catch at cover to leave the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt for 44.
However, the match was as good as won, the South African tail offering little resistance as Australia cruised to victory.
Earlier, Australia had won the toss and made an unconvincing start, losing opener Georgia Voll to Kapp for a duck in the first over. The Aussies needed some inspiration as Beth Mooney, struggling with seaming conditions, also took to the field on seven.
Take a step towards Litchfield. He completed his half-century off 23 balls by hitting the first ball he faced to find the boundary and then collapsed to 51 off 24 deliveries, comprising nine fours and a six.
The wind was now in Australia’s hands and although Ashleigh Gardner was dismissed just once, the 58-run partnership between Wareham and Ellyse Perry put them on a total just out of reach for the South Africans.
Six-time world champion Annabel Sutherland added quick late runs with 21 from 14 balls and started to progress impressively.
AAP
