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Phoebe Graham looks forward to Sunday’s T20 World Cup final between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, saying the hosts have a chance to change the face of women’s sport in the country…
South Africa beating England is a historic moment in sporting history.
They are now in their first T20 World Cup final and, as hosts, the stage is set to change the face of women’s sports in their country.
Siya Kolisi was in the semi-finals and spoke about the impact he made as South Africa won the men’s Rugby Union World Cup 2020. “Sports has the power to unite a nation and this is a great opportunity for women’s sports in our country,” he said.
Siya Kolisi celebrates with Chole Tryon (left) and Sune Luus (right) after South Africa Women reached the T20 World Cup final
Kolisi is an ally of women’s sports and his presence only added to the atmosphere at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.
‘South Africa are calm and calculated as England feel the pressure’
South Africa played out of their skin to steer the game away from one of the tournament favorites in England. He plays in a different style to the fearless and bold brand of English cricket. They are calm and calculated.
He scored only 37 from the powerplay after deciding to bat but as he did not lose a wicket, he was able to accelerate.
The frustration of Laura Wolvaardt (53 out of 44) and Tazmin Brits (68 out of 55) shows the peace and unsettled class of England and pressure for them. We see misfields, poor throws and unexecuted plans.
As always, Sophie Eccelestone came through and got Wolvaardt’s breakthrough goal. It was a big point in the game but it was not enough to contain South Africa, who scored 164 in 20 overs.
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South Africa’s Tazmin Brits pulled off a ‘magical’ one-handed catch to dismiss England’s Alice Capsey for a duck.
Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s last over was 18 runs, including a chest-high no ball that was hit for four. He looked irritated in the previous overs which filtered into the team’s energy. It was the first time England were put under pressure and they lost the composure we are used to seeing.
This leaves a huge task for England. It plays to a new brand of cricket that is fearless but will take nerves of steel and a big performance with the bat. They started in style, reached 53 from five overs, and looked comfortable chasing.
There is some incredible fielding and athletics on display in South Africa. The Brits took four brilliant catches, including one diving to eliminate Alice Capsey. The hosts were outstanding – they had a clear and calm plan and switched to slower balls and cutters at the death as the pitch started to wear.
England needed just less than two balls to go into the last five overs. It looked under control but outstanding 18 overs from Ayabonga Khaka, took three wickets, put the win in the hands of South Africa. It was a brilliant team display with the bat, the ball and on the field.
South Africa’s teamwork pulled them and their players up at the right time, but Australia will be favourites, with all their big guns firing with the bat and in the field.
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Tammy Beaumont says South Africa can ‘frazzle’ Australia if they put up a high score on the board in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final.
‘Australia win crucial moment against India’
Both semi-finals were competitive, high-scoring games won by narrow margins. The most impressive thing is that they have three things in common: running on the board, clinical fielding and the ability to absorb pressure.
Australia is known as a country that displays these qualities, so they are champions again and are yet to be beaten in this tournament.
Ellyse Perry saved two runs with a diving stop in the penultimate over against India, Ashleigh Gardner ran out Harmanpreet Kaur for 52 as India ran out of the game. Australia knows how to win the crucial moments of the game and keep calm on the field.
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Highlights from the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final between Australia and India as the Southern Stars reached their seventh consecutive final
What has surprised us in this tournament is that South Africa have come out on top. The stars have risen above, with Brits, Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Khaka and Marizanne Kapp stepping up at the right time.
They made their intentions clear ahead of the tournament by opting out of Dane van Niekerk for fitness reasons, sending a strong message to girls and boys who want to play at the top.
I support South Africa. I hope she goes out and inspires every girl and boy watching and helps change the face of women’s sports in her country.
He has done his nation proud. Let’s hope they can do it again against the dominating Australia.
Watch the Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and South Africa live on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday. Coverage starts at 12.30pm before the first ball at 1pm.
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