Ben Findon
Australia have blasted out a powerful statement of intent for the women’s T20 World Cup, dominating South Africa to win their opening match by 65 runs.
The Aussies made 8-172 off their 20 overs in Manchester on Saturday, a target that always looked too much for South Africa, who were all out for 107, from 16.4 overs.
Georgia Wareham, Australia’s player of the match after taking 3-13 and contributing an important batting knock, hailed the Aussie spirit, picking out Phoebe Litchfield, who top-scored with 50, and new captain Sophie Molineux for special accolades.
“With our batting line-up, you know you can play with confidence and freedom. Phoebe was awesome and it was a good all-round performance by the team,” she said.
“We are versatile as a bowling line-up as well, we know we are good at keeping it tight and keeping it on the stumps.
“Soph’s been awesome [as captain], instilling a lot of freedom in the group, making us believe we can take it on in the tournament.”
Molineux, who took the wickets of both South African openers, said: “We were in trouble at the start but the way the girls bounced back and climbed over it in our bowling innings, we are really pleased with it.
“We have a top and middle order that can play all round the park, and bat the best when they take it on. It’s great to see them play with freedom.”
It was true, some of the Aussie batters under-performed somewhat but such is their strength in depth, they were still able to post a daunting total. It was certainly too much for the South Africans.
The Aussie attack were soon in gear, removing 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.
Australia had dropped De Klerk in the powerplay but Wareham, in addition to her three wickets, also made two important interventions in the field.
Having already hit a significant 32, Wareham ran out the dangerous all-rounder Marizanne Kapp for 12 with an accurate throw from the deep and then took a smart low catch at cover to see off the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt for 44.
With that, the match was good as won, the South African tail offering little resistance as Australia steamed towards victory.
Earlier, Australia had won the toss and made an unconvincing start, losing opener Georgia Voll for a duck to Kapp in the first over. When Beth Mooney, also struggling to contend with the seam conditions, departed for seven, the Aussies needed a bit of inspiration.
Step forward Litchfield. Smacking the first ball she faced for a boundary, she brought up her half-century in 23 balls before falling for 51 off 24 deliveries in an innings that included nine fours and a six.
Now Australia had the wind in their sails and even though Ashleigh Gardner was dismissed for just one, a 58-run partnership between Wareham and Ellyse Perry pointed them towards a total that would be well beyond the reach of the South Africans.
Annabel Sutherland added quick late runs with 21 from 14 balls as the six-time world champions settled impressively into their stride.
AAP
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