Beth Mooney's Heroics In Final Gets Australia Their Sixth T20 World Cup Title
Australia (Source: Twitter)
It was a magnificent show with the bat for Australia's Beth Mooney who recorded 74 not out to take her side to the championship by a margin of 19 runs.
Mooney over the Moon with her knock
It was Australian skipper Meg Lanning's decision to bat first on the Newlands wicket when openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney strode into bat. Healy's intent was looking quite positive but she fell soon for just 18 in the fifth over.
In came batter Ashleigh Gardner formed a solid partnership with Mooney of 46 runs to take the score to 82 inside 12 overs. Ashleigh thumped two sixes and as many fours in her knock of 29 but it was her partner at the other end who stole the show.
Mooney who was again outstanding in a World Cup final facing 53 deliveries, she managed nine fours and a six to record 74 runs to her name. However, the wickets kept tumbling at the other end but Beth ensured her side of a strong finish.
She remained not out and to add more, her knock took the side to a decent total of 156 for the loss of six wickets after the end of 20 overs.
Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp bagged two wickets each to inflict the damage but it wasn't enough to stop them from crossing the 150-run mark.
Wolvaardt's knock couldn't save the Proteas
With a tricky target of 157 on the board to chase, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits walked in with huge hopes from the entire African nation as they feature in their first-ever World Cup final in cricket history.
Brits fell for 10 in the fifth over and later Marizanne Kapp departed too for 11 putting pressure on the side as they were 46 for 2 in nine overs. Some had to take the responsibility and it was dependable Wolvaardt who banged 61 off 48 balls with three sixes and five fours to give her side a real chance.
But with not enough fuel in the tank, she became a victim of the mounting pressure which was building right from the start. Chloe Tryon tried her best with 25 as she lost her wicket in the 18th over with chances almost sinking.
With 27 required off the last over, the game was already done as it was just a matter of time before Australia lifts it. Being able to manage just seven runs in the final six balls, the Aussies recorded their sixth T20 World Cup title on the back of some impressive performances throughout the tournament.
Every bowler bowled decently enough to contain the target as Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Darcie Brown and Jess Jonassen scalped one each.
Brief Scores:
Australia Women: 156/6 (20 Overs)
Beth Mooney 74* (53), Ashleigh Gardner 29 (21);
Shabnim Ismail 2/26 (4), Marizanne Kapp 2/35 (4)
South Africa Women: 137/6 (20 Overs)
Laura Wolvaardt 61 (48), Chloe Tryon 25 (23);
Ashleigh Gardner 1/20 (4), Jess Jonassen 1/21 (3)
Match Result: Australia Women won by 19 runs
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