With a well-deserved victory over South Africa in the final on Sunday, the Australian team earned their sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title. They reached a difficult total of 156/6, thanks to Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 74 off 53, but the hosts put up a heroic fight in their pursuit.
Although Laura Wolvaardt scored her third consecutive fifty in the tournament, the Proteas were defeated heartbreakingly by 19 runs. At Cape Town’s Newlands, Meg Lanning decided to bat first after winning the toss. From their respective stunning victories in the semi-finals, neither team altered.
Australia got off to a strong start thanks to Alyssa Healy, but she was unable to build on it as Marizanne Kapp’s wicket in the fifth over provided an opportunity for the home team. The first 10 overs, though, belonged to Mooney and the world’s best all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who put together a fast 46-run partnership for the second wicket while Gardner scorched 29 off 21.
South African bowlers, on the other hand, made a strong recovery in the middle overs to prevent Australia from scoring a huge total. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon each secured one wicket, while Shabnim Ismail and Kapp each claimed two.
Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, an effective tandem, had trouble at first, with the latter scoring just 10 out of 17. Although South Africa kept frequently losing wickets at one end, Wolvaardt continued to advance the score from the other end. South Africa was left at 54/3 after 10.4 overs after Mooney ran out captain Sune Luus for just two runs.
However, a crucial 55-run partnership between Wolvaardt and Tryon for the fourth wicket helped to even the match. Wolvaardt scored 61 runs off 48 deliveries and appeared to be in control, but in the 17th over, Megan Schutt dismissed her, ending South Africa’s aspirations.
The Proteas managed to score just 137/6 in 20 overs before Jess Jonassen further concluded the game by taking Tryon’s wicket in the following over. Wolvaardt scored 230 runs in six innings thanks to her fifty, and England’s Sophie Ecclestone had the best bowling stats with 11 wickets in five innings.
All that now Australia has won the T20I World Cup straight-away for the sixth time, twitter and it’s twiteratti has gone gaga on Australia’s win and South Africa’s disappointment.
Australia clinch 6th Women’s T20 World Cup title, shatter South Africa’s title dreams with 19-run win in final – BestyWeb https://t.co/FP2lpwNhNx
— Mehak Jan (@Mehak944) February 26, 2023
Feel for South Africa they may not be the Winners but they Already created History by reaching to the Final of T20 World Cup, this could be the start of a revolution in women's Cricket in South Africa #SAvAUS #AUSvsSA #t20worldcup pic.twitter.com/4Nik4uP517
— Pandu Raj (@CricketPanduRaj) February 26, 2023
The crowd really did #TurnItUp 🙌
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 26, 2023
The #T20WorldCup final saw Newlands host a record crowd for women’s cricket in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/mkGl4tSKyQ
Sad end to South Africa at final but fraternity of women’s cricket will be changed there hereon:
— Poudel Sagar (@bandagopikauli) February 26, 2023
Congratulations to Aussie who seals 6th T20 World Cup Title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DFenIFmtUx
Pretty hard to believe Laura Wolvaardt went unsold at the WPL auction. I mean.. seriously? #T20Worldcupfinal
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) February 26, 2023
7 ODI WC for Australia Women's.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 26, 2023
6 T20 WC for Australia Women's.
5 ODI WC for Australia Men's.
2 CT for Australia Men's.
1 T20 WC for Australia Men's.
Born to dominate ICC tournaments – Australia. pic.twitter.com/7mUIkKvP1B
Laura Wolvaardt doesn't have a #WPL contract
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) February 26, 2023
That is the franchise's loss#T20WorldCup
Heartbreak for South Africa! Australia have defeated them in the final of Women's T20 World Cup 2023 #AUSvSA #SAvAUS #t20worldcupfinal pic.twitter.com/7Wmx9YyFgi
— Cricket With Laresh (@Lareshhere) February 26, 2023
After 31 World Cups in T20 and ODI formats combined (across men’s and women’s editions), South Africa played their FIRST EVER FINAL today. They should be proud of this effort and have plenty of positives to take forward. Congrats to them on hosting this exciting T20 World Cup.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 26, 2023
The road to glory is never easy, but South Africa's women's team showed unwavering determination and grit in the T20 World Cup final. Despite falling short, they played with heart and soul, earning the respect of fans worldwide. Congratulations on a great tournament! 🏏🥈#AUSvSA
— Sushil Banait (@sushil_banait) February 26, 2023
Also, hugely appreciate South Africa for the tournament they had and united a whole nation in coming to Newlands. Loss in final will hurt, but achieving their best-ever result through a runners-up finish in a home Women's T20 World Cup is a Massive achievement 👏#T20WorldCup2023
— Niharika Raina (@niharika_raina) February 26, 2023
AND STILL! 🏆
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 26, 2023
Another World Cup, another win for this all-conquering Australian women's cricket team.
That's six of eight T20 World Cups in their cabinet.
Some promising moments for South Africa in this final but it always felt like the Aussies were in control.#T20WorldCup
Faf Du Plessis and his wife watching women's T20 World Cup final#cricket #t20worldcup2022 pic.twitter.com/5OiFrZNizD
— Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) February 26, 2023
