‘They’re definitely beatable’: Gap closes between the best and the rest after Australia’s shock World Cup loss to South Africa

Australia’s World Cup loss to South Africa proves the gap between the best and the rest is rapidly closing ahead of next year’s women’s Ashes series.

English spinner Sophie Ecclestone says the Australian women’s team is “definitely beatable” ahead of next year’s Ashes after the all-conquering cricketers had their T20 World Cup streak snapped in the semi-finals by South Africa last week.

Australia had won the past three World Cups but were comfortably beaten by eight wickets by South Africa who went on to lose the final to New Zealand.

It’s a sign that the Aussies aren’t invincible, and that gives Ecclestone confidence heading into the multi-format Ashes series that starts in January.

Australia retained the Ashes in 2023 but the series finished 8-all after the hosts won both the T20 and 50-over series.

Australia retained the Ashes in 2023 but England dominated the white ball portion of the series. Picture: Steve Bardens/Getty Images

“They’re definitely beatable. We’ve seen that. They’re one of the best teams in the world, but hopefully we can get to the Ashes and prove people wrong,” Ecclestone said after landing in the country on Thursday night.

“They’re always the team to beat. They’re still a great team. That happens in sport – people play well and South Africa had a day out. I know the Aussies will be really disappointed and will want to bounce back.

“With New Zealand winning that comp and South Africa (being in the final) when they haven’t won it before shows that every team needs to be reckoned with these days. It’s not just the Aussies that are a great team now.”

Ecclestone claimed five wickets at the World Cup and is disappointed that England won’t have the chance to claim gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after cricket was removed from the schedule.

England lost the bronze medal match two years ago, with Australia claiming gold with victory over India in the final.

“I saw that when I landed last night and it’s obviously quite disappointing to be missing out on the Commonwealth Games, but things happen,” the spinner said.

“We’re not the only sport to miss out, but we have to move on. We’ve got the Olympics to look forward to which will be really cool in 2028.”

Sophie Ecclestone is happy to be back in the WBBL after injury forced her to miss the 2023 tournament. Picture: Pankaj Nangia/Gallo Images/Getty Images

As enticing as future success is, Ecclestone is just glad to be back in the WBBL after a serious shoulder injury ruled her out of last year’s tournament.

She’ll be part of a sizzling spin trio alongside Amelia Kerr and Ash Gardner, with Ecclestone revealing she had to mute the Sixers on social media because she was so upset that she couldn’t play last year.

“It was really frustrating,” the world’s number one ranked T20 bowler said.

“I got injured about a month before the season started and then I actually muted the Sixers on social media so I didn’t see it because I had so much FOMO.”