Australia have won six T20 World Cups to go with seven in the 50-over format, making it 13 World Cup titles in total; South Africa fell 19 runs short in chase of 157 in their first ever World Cup final; tournament leading-scorer Laura Wolvaardt tonked 61 off 48 balls in losing cause
Australia claimed a sixth Women’s T20 World Cup win – and third in succession – as they beat tournament hosts South Africa by 19 runs in the final in Cape Town.
Chasing 157 to win, tournament leading run-scorer Laura Wolvaardt briefly gave the vocal South African support hope of an unlikely upset, tonking 61 off 48 balls at the top of the order, but her dismissal in the 17th over all but ended their challenge as the scoring rate steadily climbed.
Appearing in their first World Cup final in any format, South Africa did well with the ball initially to limit Australia’s powerful batting line-up to 156-6 after Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to make first use of the Newlands surface.
Proteas pace pair Shabnim Ismail (2-26) and Marizanne Kapp (2-35) showcased all of their experience in an impressive display, the latter removing Alyssa Healy (18) early on and Lanning (10) cheaply and Ismail cleaning up Ellyse Perry (7) and Georgia Wareham (0) with back-to-back balls in the final over.
But while South Africa managed to keep the majority of Australia’s big-hitters quiet, opener Beth Mooney anchored the innings superbly, striking nine fours and one six in a crucial unbeaten 74 from 53 deliveries. In doing so, she became the first player to hit fifties in two T20 World Cup finals.
