| ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, semi-final, Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Australia 134-5 (20 overs): Lanning 49*, Mooney 28, De Klerk 3-19 |
| South Africa 92-5 (13 overs): Wolvaardt 41*, Luus 21, Schutt 2-17 |
| Australia won by five runs (DLS method) |
Australia defied the rain to beat South Africa by five runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method and set up a Women’s T20 World Cup final against India.
Defending champions Australia were able to post 134-5 from their 20 overs after a delayed start, with captain Meg Lanning top-scoring with 49.
But South Africa, chasing a rain-revised 98 from 13 overs, crumbled to 24-3 and were always behind the rate in Sydney.
Laura Wolvaardt struck an unbeaten 41 from just 27 balls to keep South Africa in the chase, but they fell just short in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
Australia have featured in every T20 World Cup final since 2010, and have claimed the title four times.
India were the only team to beat Australia during the group stages but it is the first time they have reached the T20 final.
However, Australia will take heart from a superb bowling performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground to overcome South Africa.
South Africa’s captain, Dane van Niekerk, was close to tears at the end of the match as her side once again missed out on a first global final.
More to follow.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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