Australia dominate South Africa in Women’s T20 World Cup – live

Australia dominate – Australia’s women crushed South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup, winning by 65 runs after South Africa collapsed from 81-3—losing seven wickets for 26 in just over five overs. Sophie Molineux praised the way Australia bounced back early and how spin-friend

By the time the turning point arrived, South Africa already looked like they were trying to climb out of trouble.

South Africa were 81-3 when the run-out happened—Kapp short at the non-striker’s end as Wolvaardt drilled a slog off Gardner towards cow corner, and the breeze holding the hit up was enough for Australia to strike. The throw was perfect, Kapp couldn’t make her ground, and the chase began to unravel.

It didn’t stop. South Africa then lost seven wickets for 26 runs in just over five overs, folding in the 17th over to be bowled out for 107. Australia finished 172-8 and won by 65 runs, turning what had looked like a steady platform into something closer to a rout.

Sophie Molineux, Australia’s captain, described the swing as something she felt early and trusted later—“We were in trouble at the start. The wayside we bounced back and then climbed over with our bowling.”

She also framed the way Australia took control as an intent problem, not just a skill problem. “Aggressive batting is the way we want to play. They play their best when they take the game on.”

On the field, her captaincy came down to reading the wicket and committing to it. “With captaincy you have to go with your gut. It was a spin-friendly wicket. Sometimes it pays off, today it did.”

South Africa’s captain. Laura Wolvaardt. looked left with the same feeling many batters carry after a collapse—what started as a decent base turned into missing timing. and then a chase that couldn’t recover. “Tough day today. I thought we had a decent first half. We lost our way with the bat. They bowled really well and outplayed us today.”.

Wolvaardt said she expected Australia to be a little above par rather than untouchable. “I thought they were only a little bit above par. I backed us to go above nines. But lost our way.”

This match also carried history, with Australia delivering revenge for their semi-final defeat to South Africa two years ago. Australia’s win came through a combination of aggressive batting despite regular wicket losses. spin bowling that kept answers out of reach. and South Africa’s batting that failed to build pressure at the end.

Georgia Wareham was the player to stand over it when it was time to close. She took the final wicket and finished with three for 13, adding a catch and a run-out. Wareham spoke after the win about what Australia’s batting gives them and how the spinners are expected to adapt. “With our batting line-up you can play with a lot of freedom. I thought [Litchfield] was great the way she took on the new ball.”.

Wareham also said the group’s flexibility is part of the plan. “Depending on the day, we’re versatile [she’s talking about the four spinners]. It’s nice to be a part of that group.”

Her role in the field, too, was right where she wanted it. “I usually try to get myself out on the boundary so I’ll take that [catch] at extra cover.”

Australia’s innings had its own rhythm before the chase ever began. They posted 172-8, with Litchfield scoring 50 off 24 balls, supported by Perry (36 off 26), Wareham (32 off 22), and Sutherland (21 off 14). The innings kept moving even when wickets fell—Perry was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba for 36. and later King became the final wicket of Australia’s slide.

South Africa’s chase never found the right tempo after the early breakthroughs.

It began with Australia winning the first over: Sune Luus was lbw to Molineux for 1. and Dercksen was b Garth for 4 (South Africa 7-2). Australia’s wickets kept coming as the chase moved through the overs—De Klerk was bowled by Wareham for 25 (South Africa 48-3). and Wolvaardt. after a spell of hope. was eventually out when she was c Wareham b Molineux for 44 (South Africa 96-5).

In the later stages, the wickets fell in clusters. Jafta was out c Sutherland b King for 2 (South Africa 99-7), Reyneke was c&b King for 0 (South Africa 97-6), Ismail was lbw Gardner for 2 (South Africa 102-8), and Tryon was c King b Wareham for 9—South Africa 106-9.

The final picture was cruelly simple: South Africa couldn’t make it to their overs, and Australia’s spin did what it was built to do in a spin-friendly wicket.

For Molineux, the day ended with a clear message to her team: keep the confidence, move on fast. “It’s nice to stack our line-up so we have power early.” She added, “Still a long tournament to go. We’ll put this game behind us as quickly as possible.”

Wolvaardt, meanwhile, acknowledged the frustration of a match that slipped away even when she could see a path forward. “It’s awsome to have [Kapp and Ismail] back together. ” she said. before adding that at the end the challenge had felt too hard. “It was hard to get going. A frustrating innings. I felt they bowled well to me.”.

Women’s T20 World Cup Australia Women vs South Africa Women Sophie Molineux Georgia Wareham Laura Wolvaardt Litchfield Wareham three for 13 South Africa 107 all out