Australia firm T20 World Cup final favourites but wary of South Africa

26.02.2023 - 11:15 theguardian.com

T here have not been many times since Australia won the last T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2020 that the team has looked beatable.

Since that memorable win in front of a record crowd, Australia has only lost three T20 internationals - two to New Zealand and one to India via a super over in late 2022.

Australia have always been a dominant team, but that win seemed to set them on a course of becoming near-indestructible. There are also not many ways to beat Australia.

Opposition teams must feel trapped in a horror movie at times - they manage to take quick early wickets and dismiss the openers cheaply, only to have more batters rise up and take on the game.

cricket bowling firm cup Meg Lanning Tahlia Macgrath Australia South Africa New Zealand India

Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues admitted on Thursday that India's heartbreaking loss against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup is still haunting the players, adding that the Women's Premier League (WPL) would help ease the pain a bit. Jemimah and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur's 69-run fourth-wicket stand had put India in pole position to push for victory but the end of their partnership led the side to a five-run defeat against Meg Lanning's Australia. "It has taken a while, honestly. We were in South Africa for two days after the semis (loss). Everyone was not in a great headspace. But coming here (for WPL), being with the family for two days (has helped ease the pain)," Jemimah said during a Delhi Capitals event in Mumbai.

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Proteas opener Laura Wolvaardt's batting heroics took SA to the brink of winning the ICC T20 Women's World Cup, where they fell 19 runs shy of beating Australia in the final at Newlands in Cape Town.

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Australia added a new feather to their cap on Sunday as the Meg Lanning-side lifted their sixth Women's T20 World Cup title after defeating South Africa in the summit clash on Sunday. This was Australia's third title on the trot and Meg Lanning's fifth ICC trophy as a captain. Opting to bat first, Australia posted a total of 156/6 in 20 overs after Beth Mooney plays an unbeaten knock of 74 off 53 balls. Later, South Africa fell short of 19 runs despite a powerful knock of 61 off 48 balls by Laura Wolvaardt. As Australia created a new record in Cape Town, fans took to Twitter to congratulate the team on their spectacular win.