South Africa-W beat Australia-W by 6 wickets in 2nd T20I, series levelled 1-1

South Africa’s women defeated Australia for the first time in history, winning by six wickets in the second T20I in Canberra.

On Sunday, quality bowling helped them keep the hosts to a below-par total of 142 for 6, which they reached with six balls remaining due to skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s unbroken half-century.

Australia made scoring appear difficult at Manuka Oval, but South Africa’s openers swiftly established the foundation for the historic victory.

In the second T20 encounter, Australia batted first and scored 142 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allowed 20 overs. Grace Harris led Australia’s scoring with an unbeaten 31 runs, while skipper Alyssa Healy added 29 runs.

The South African bowlers, headed by Masabata, shown unwavering tenacity, effectively restricting the Australian batting. South Africa responded to the objective with outstanding batting power, scoring 143 runs with four wickets in hand in only 19 overs. Laura Wolvaardt played a captain’s innings, scoring an undefeated 58 runs and receiving Player of the Match honours. Tajmin Brits played an important role, scoring 41 runs off 28 balls and forming a key 75-run partnership with Wolvaard.

South Africa applied such stifling pressure on the hosts that they went 29 balls without a boundary between the 13th and 18th overs. Tahlia McGrath struggled to score rapidly for the second consecutive game, scoring 23 off 28 deliveries. Ellyse Perry had a similar tale (18 from 19 balls). Harris scored three fours and a six in her unbeaten 31, and Australia took 18 runs off Khaka’s final over of the game to give themselves something to defend. Four of the defending world champions’ previous five losses have occurred when batting first, a trend Harris believes her team should investigate.

Wolvaardt and Tryon scored three fours in the 19th over to seal the win. This historic victory not only levels the T20 series, but also instills confidence in a South African team that is rebuilding following the retirements of players like as van Niekerk, Lee, Ismail, and du Preez.

As the T20 series stands poised at 1-1, all eyes are now on the series decider scheduled for Tuesday night in Hobart.

Australia Women innings

• Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 42 runs, 1 wicket)
• Australia Women: 50 runs in 7.6 overs (49 balls), Extras 4
• Drinks: Australia Women – 66/2 in 10.0 overs (TM McGrath 15, EA Perry 5)
• Over 15.4: Review by South Africa Women (Bowling), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – E Sheridan, Batter – GM Harris (Struck down – Umpires Call)
• Australia Women: 100 runs in 16.1 overs (98 balls), Extras 7
• Innings Break: Australia Women – 142/6 in 20.0 overs (GM Harris 31, G Wareham 8)

South Africa Women innings

• Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 41 runs, 0 wicket)
• South Africa Women: 50 runs in 6.6 overs (42 balls), Extras 3
• 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 42 balls (L Wolvaardt 19, T Brits 31, Ex 3)
• Over 7.1: Review by Australia Women (Bowling), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – E Sheridan, Batter – L Wolvaardt (Struck down)
• Drinks: South Africa Women – 75/1 in 9.4 overs (L Wolvaardt 29)
• South Africa Women: 100 runs in 13.3 overs (81 balls), Extras 5
• L Wolvaardt: 50 off 51 balls (5 x 4)