Australia v South Africa women’s T20I: Beth Mooney’s second half century leads Aussies to series victory as attention turns to ODIs

Australia has come back from Sunday’s shock loss to South Africa with victory at Blundstone Arena to take the T20I series 2-1, but it wasn’t easy, chasing down a large total in the final over.

Australia have responded from Sunday’s shock-loss to South Africa, claiming a series deciding win in Tuesday’s T20 clash at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

After they were beaten for the first time in any format by the Proteas at Manuka Oval on Sunday, the host nation withstood a best-ever total of 7-162 from South Africa to take the three match series 2-1 with a five-wicket final-over win.

In-form opener Beth Mooney (82 off 55) was the linchpin for the Aussies who lost both captain Alyssa Healy (10 off 7) and Ellyse Perry (13 off 10) inside the first seven overs.

Beth Mooney celebrates a second half century of the three game T20 series. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Once again winning the toss, Australia’s decision to bowl first rather than bat as they did two days prior looked to be a masterstroke early with South Africa at 3-28 after the first five overs.

But an 80-run partnership between Marizanne Kapp (75 off 48) and Anneke Bosch (21 off 24) helped get their innings back on track and guide the visitors to a defendable total.

Mooney’s terrific knock, her second half-century of the series after an unbeaten 72 in game one, proved to be enough though for Australia to secure a second win in as many years in Hobart.

The two sides will now turn their attention to the ODI leg of their multi-format series with Australia holding a 4-2 points advantage heading into Saturday’s clash in Adelaide.

Marizanne Kapp’s career best knock of 75 almost helped South Africa across the line. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

CAREER-BEST KAPP

She came into the deciding contest with just 21 series runs to her name but a stellar 75-run knock saw Marizanne Kapp leave Hobart with a career-best T20 innings.

Coming to the crease at 1-1 with a previous career-best of 56, Kapp provided a level head and a damaging swing with a 73m six directly after notching up her half-century the highlight of her 48 ball innings.

The 34 year-old, who survived a dropped catch in the outfield on 19, finally came unstuck four overs later from a Talia McGrath yorker but ended the night with the highest ever score by a female South African player against Australia.

Despite making just 10, Alyssa Healy went past 6000 international runs – becoming just the fourth Australian to do so. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

HEALY HISTORY

While she may have only added a further 10 runs to her illustrious T20 career total on Tuesday night, it was still enough to etch Australian captain Alyssa Healy into the record books.

Already one of Australia’s finest ever to play the game, Healy’s 10 off seven saw her reach 6,007 T20 international career runs and become the fourth Australian women’s cricketer to clock up the extraordinary feat of 6,000 runs.

“I feel like I’ve played way too many games and should have scored more than that but a nice statistic,” Healy told Fox Cricket during the broadcast.

Originally published as Australia v South Africa women’s T20I: Beth Mooney’s second half century leads Aussies to series victory as attention turns to ODIs