Opener Beth Mooney scored an unbeaten half-century to steer Australia to a comfortable opening T20 victory against the Proteas women at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday.Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt decided to bat first and made a steady start before Wolvaardt found the a fielder at point off the bowling of Darcie Brown (2/20) to depart for 16, which included three fours.Tazmin Brits started to find her rhythm as she shared a 43-run stand with Sune Luus (19).With the Proteas on 100/4 after 14 overs, Brits and new batter Chloé Tryon (12) added a further 27 runs on the board as Brits reached her ninth T20I fifty before Tryon mistimed Ellyse Perry (2/13).Brits scored an unbeaten 59 off 54 balls, which included six fours and two sixes as South Africa posted 147/6 after their allotted 20 overs.
Needing 148 runs for victory, Australia's opening pair of Alyssa Healy and Mooney started off strong as they scored a brilliant 72-run first-wicket stand before Nadine de Klerk got the breakthrough.De Klerk (1/25) picked up the dangerous Aussie captain Healy for a well-played 46 off 28 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) with Luus taking a smart catch on the boundary.Mooney then teamed up with Tahlia McGrath (24) in fine fashion as the experienced duo combined for a significant 65-run partnership for the second wicket to lead their team towards victoryMarizanne Kapp (1/25) refused to roll over for Australia by picking up the late wicket of McGrath for 24 and taking the match into the final over.However, the Aussies comfortably got over the line with five balls remaining.Australia take a 1-0 lead with the second T20I starting on Sunday at 01:45 SA time in Canberra.