Australia defeated South Africa 107 in Manchester on Saturday to win the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup’s first heavyweight showdown.
Australia, seeking their seventh title in the 10th World Cup, battled 172-8 at Old Trafford to win by 65 points.
South Africa were runners-up in the last two tournaments, defeating Australia in the semi-finals in 2024. However, the Proteas will have to outdo their other group rivals India on June 21 to qualify for the semi-finals.
Earlier, on a stormy and cloudy day in Manchester, Scotland achieved their first World Cup victory with a 40-point lead over Ireland. Ireland, looking for their first win in 12 years, dropped their win-loss record to 0-18.
Defending champions New Zealand were playing West Indies late on Saturday.
Lichfield and Spinners defeat South Africa
Phoebe Litchfield missed Australia’s final warm-up due to a quadriceps strain, but recovered in time for the opening match. She was needed in the first over.
The Georgia Vols lost for a duck on their World Cup debut, with fellow opener Beth Mooney being eliminated in the fourth over. But Litchfield were undaunted and charged at Marizanne Cupp, who scored six points through Shabnim Ismail and scooped and swept Ayabonga Kaka for a 23-ball 50.
Lichfield were out for 61-3 off the next ball and Australia staggered again, but Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham revived the charge with a 58-run stand in 30 seconds.
Ismail will retire after the 2023 World Cup and is still 37 years old. The pacer took a wicket but could not complete the over due to a finger injury. However, Ismail struck when the outcome was already decided.
South Africa recovered from a 7-2 deficit thanks to captain Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk. De Klerk was then bowled by leg-spinner Georgia Wareham and contributed to a slow cup run-out. Despite the required run rate of up to 11, Wolvaardt still made the Proteas a threat.
However, after being hit at long-off by opposition skipper Sophie Molyneux in the sixth over, she was hit by Wareham at cover on the next ball, leaving Wolvath out for 44 from 39 balls. South Africa came back from there and added just 11 runs for their last five wickets.
Australia’s four spinners took eight wickets, with Wareham picking at 3-13, catches and run outs. Wareham was named Player of the Match and shared the praise.
“(Captain) Soph was great and instilled a lot of freedom within the group and made the group believe that we are a good team and can challenge for this tournament, which is very nice,” she said.
The Blyth sisters of the century represent Scotland
Scotland led 161-5 and dismissed Ireland for 121 with five balls remaining.
Ireland won the toss, elected to bowl and removed the Scottish opener in the powerplay.
But it brought Sister Bryce, Captain Kathryn and little Sarah together. They combined for 106 in 10.4 overs, Scotland’s first 50-run partnership in a World Cup.
Sarah fell behind with 49 off 35 balls in 17 overs, but Kathryn held on till number 19 with 60 in 39 overs.
“Kathryn and I know each other really well,” Sarah said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
The Irish chase stuttered out of the gate. Kathryn was caught and bowled in the first over and medium pacer Rachel Slater conceded a miserable three runs in the second over of the powerplay, increasing the pressure on Ireland.
This saw spinner Christy Gordon take three wickets in 13 overs to end Ireland’s chances at 70-6. Off-spinner Catherine Fraser finished with 3 wins and 19 losses, while Catherine Blyth finished with 2 wins and 19 losses.
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