Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia earn early win over South Africa

T20 World Cup, Group 1, Edgbaston

Australia 172-8 (20 overs): Litchfield 50 (24), Perry 36 (26); Mlaba 2-22

South Africa 107 (over 16.4): Wolvaardt 44 (39); Wareham’s 3-13

Australia won by 65 runs

Scorecard Tables

Australia got off to an early start in Group One, opening their T20 World Cup campaign with a 65-run win against fellow contenders South Africa.

Australia, with 50-over champions India also in this pool and likely to fight hard for two places in the semi-finals, struck an early blow by posting 172-8 and confidently defending the total.

They took out Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk in the first seven rounds and applied the pressure as Laura Wolvaardt tried to rebuild with Marizanne Kapp.

Australia dropped De Klerk on the powerplay but Georgia Wareham made a key contribution to the 32-run with two tackles on the field and a take of 3-13.

He raced the dangerous, versatile Kapp for 12 with an accurate delivery from deep and then made a smart low catch at cover to bowl out Wolvaardt for 44.

Australia then clinically toppled the lower order by eliminating the Proteas, who have reached the last three world finals across formats, by 107 points.

Australia were below their best with the bat in their first tournament under new captain Sophie Molineux, losing regular wickets, but their impressive depth meant they still posted a test score.

Wareham’s strike came from Phoebe Litchfield after the 50th minute. Ellyse Perry also contributed 36.

South Africa may now have to beat India when the sides meet on the same ground on Sunday, June 21.