Anneke Bosch's unbeaten 74 off 48 balls enabled South Africa to knock out six-time champions Australia from the Women's T20 World Cup on Thursday. In the first semi-final of the tournament, South Africa defeated Australia by eight wickets at Dubai International Stadium to reach the final of the tournament. In the 2023 T20 World Cup final, South Africa lost to Australia by 19 runs to miss out on their maiden ICC silverware.
However, this time they overcame the Aussie hurdle and will eye to clinch the title on Sunday. The second semifinal will be played between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday. Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl first.
South African bowlers backed their skipper's decision and bowled economically to restrict Australia to 134/5 in 20 overs with Beth Mooney playing a knock of 44 runs while Ellyse Perry contributed 31. Chasing a below-par 135, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave a cautious start to South Africa in the powerplay before Annabel Sutherland drew first blood for Australia in the fifth over. She removed Brits for 15 as Anneke Bosch joined her captain in the middle.
The senior duo lived up to the occasion and stitched a 96-run match-setting stand for the second wicket. Bosch played the role of aggressor and hit eight fours and a six in a 74-run knock while Wolvaardt struck 37-ball 42 including three fours and a maximum before Sutherland got her second for the night in the 15th over. It was too late for Australia to .
