Newlands (South Africa): Australia sealed their sixth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title with a clinical 19-run victory over hosts South Africa on Sunday.
Beth Mooney’s 74 not out anchored Australia’s innings with a series of impressive shots, but the holders will have felt their 156 for six was below par in Cape Town.
South Africa struggled to get going in response, the pressure of the home crowd perhaps weighing on them, before a 55-run partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon gave them hope.
But it was not to be as serial winners Australia discovered their ruthless streak again to close out another World Cup final.
Having chosen to bat, Australia made a steady start even as a sold-out Newlands roared on each dot ball.
Alyssa Healy survived a review for LBW off the final ball of Shabnim Ismail’s first over but she could not withstand the pace and height of a Marizanne Kapp delivery, departing for 18 having sent a comfortable catch to Nadine de Klerk on the edge of the inner circle.
Ismail made the wicket count double as she bowled a maiden over to Mooney, but Ashleigh Gardner found her groove having being promoted up the order, hitting back-to-back fours off Nonkululeko Mlaba, before smashing two sixes in a row from two De Klerk deliveries.
Brief Scores
Australia 156/6 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 74 not out, Garnder 29; Shabnim Ismail 2/26, Marizanne Kapp 2/35)
South Africa 137/6 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Chloe Tryon 25; Ashleigh Gardner 1/20, Jess Jonassen 1/21)
Player of the Match: Beth Mooney (Australia)
