Australia v South Africa: Aussies into World Cup showdown with India
Biggest match in history of women’s cricket will have its biggest drawcards after Australia beat weather and South Africa.
The Australians will play India at the MCG on Sunday, International Women’s Day, at the MCG in the final of the T20 World Cup.
That they got there is almost a miracle, but their presence ensures the biggest match in the history of women’s cricket will have its two biggest draw cards at the stadium.
Organisers have sold 60,000 tickets and are a chance to fulfil the dream of selling out the final now the places have been decided.
The Australians overcame so much to get to the semi final. They lost their strike bowler, Tayla Vlaeminck, before a ball was bowled, their best player, Ellyse Perry, barely faced a ball or took a wicket and injuries kept Sophie Molineux in the sick bay through the group stages.
They lost their first game and subsequently made every game that followed a do-or-die affair.
They showed character despite the setbacks and stutters, but the one thing thrown at them that they could not counter was the rain. Nature doesn’t bargain, nor do ruling bodies and their intransigent regulations. You don’t have to be Greta Thunberg to reach that conclusion.
Rain ruined the first of two semi-final matches at the SCG on Thursday. As there was no extra day scheduled England, who did not get onto the field in their match against India, are on their way home.
“We’re just gutted that we didn’t have a chance to fight for a place in that final,” captain Heather Knight said. “There’s not a lot we can do. We obviously lost that first game against South Africa and that ultimately cost us.”
When that match was abandoned at 4.10pm, there seemed little hope of seeing a ball bowled between South Africa and Australia — but the rain paused and the SCG staff worked a miracle as they had a month earlier for the BBL final and play started almost on time.
South Africa won the toss, checked the radar and chose to field in the knowledge there was another ugly cloud mass coming. The rain did return but by the time it had, Australia had faced the 20 allotted overs and were 5-134.
The showers hung around but eased in time to allow a restart and a new target: 98 from 13 overs.
The visitors came so close and so too did the rain. The match ended with heavy showers falling at 10.30pm, the South Africans having fallen five runs short.
The home side celebrated in front of what were essentially empty stands as even those who had bought tickets were dissuaded from attending by the weather.
The #MEGASTAR has arrived!! #CmonAussie #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/xzw6qAhYtq
— Australian Women's Cricket Team ðŸ (@AusWomenCricket) March 5, 2020
Meg Lanning was — as ever — magnificent. Calm, calculating, efficient and on hand as others came and went. She put on 34 with opener Beth Mooney (28) after Alyssa Healy (28) fell. She was there when Jess Jonassen (1) and Ash Gardner (0) made an appearance, helped steady the ship in a 32-run partnership with Rachael Haynes (17) and another 31 with Nic Carey (7no) before the innings break.
When the innings was done she was not. In the fifth over she dived forward on the edge of the ring to catch Mignon du Preez a moment before the ball disturbed the dew on the grass.
“It was very stressful, the waiting game during the day and at the ground,” the player of the match said.
“The groundstaff did a great job and we were lucky enough to come out the winners.
“South Africa bowled extremely well, we lost a few wickets and I had to rein it in a bit. It was nice to contribute.
“They did an amazing job, it’s been raining a hell of a lot in Sydney, very thankful we were able to play.”
LET'S FILL THE MCG, AUSTRALIA! pic.twitter.com/txLh5LP3iy
— Australian Women's Cricket Team ðŸ (@AusWomenCricket) March 5, 2020
Molineux hadn’t played a game in this tournament but caught up in the space of six balls. Her first delivery sailed over the ropes for six courtesy of Dane van Niekerk’s sweet sweep over square, she tossed the third ball up to Lizelle Lee and watched it sail over the covers for four, but was brave enough to do it again before the over was done and had her first wicket of the T20 World Cup courtesy of a smart running catch by Ash Gardner at wide long on.
South Africa made the job difficult for themselves when they lost 3-4 and despite a rally from Sune Luus (21) and Laura Wolvaardt (41no) it was an uphill battle from there.
The team had never beaten Australia before and will be disappointed to have not done it here, but should be proud of making their first knockout match at this level.
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