On January 28, at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, the South African women‘s team won the second Twenty20 International of the three-match series, recording their first-ever win over Australia in any format.
After winning the toss, Alyssa Healy chose to bat first. Despite her impressive innings of 29 off 24 balls, the other batsmen in the top order found it difficult to adjust to the challenging Canberra surface. Grace Harris, who was unbroken at 31 off 18 balls, made a late drive to help Australia reach 142/6 in their 20 overs.
Despite their terrible record against the Australians, South Africa would have been quietly optimistic in their prospects, but the 143-run target was a little intimidating. Prior to this match, the Proteas had never defeated Australia in any format. Prior to this match, the two sides engaged in 15 ODIs and 7 T20Is. With the exception of a single drawn ODI, Australia won each time.
But Laura Wolvaardt took the lead and made history alongside the tourists. After fellow opener Tazmin Brits hit a blistering 41 off 28 to get her team off to a terrific start, she continued to remain unbeaten at 58 off 53. Within the first ten overs, they scored 75 runs for the first wicket, setting the stage for an incredible victory. In 19 overs, South Africa managed to take down the goal with six wickets remaining.
“It’s really special; obviously, we were hoping to change the fact that we had never defeated them in any format or game before, and it’s even more special to do it in their own backyard.” Considering how many veteran players have retired in recent years, it is very remarkable that this youthful, energetic team defeated the World Champions. Hopefully, this will cause us to rethink our approach. After the epic win, Wolvaardt said, “Hopefully the voodoo is a little broken now and we can win them on a more regular basis.”
Australia has lost four of their past five games when they have batted first. Harris thought her side should investigate this data.
“As a batting group, you can consider how to obtain the additional boundary ball in the over now that you have the required number on the board for chasing. Perhaps a small adjustment here or there, or simply some knowledge gained from the earlier conditions, or how we’re going to play a little more aggressively and score a few more runs, will be made. However, I don’t think too much needs to change,” Harris remarked.
South Africa leveled the three-match series with this victory. On Tuesday, January 30, the final Twenty20 International will take place at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval.
Here are some reactions from ‘X’ users following South Africa’s historic victory:
South Africa women’s cricket team created a history by defeating the world champions Australia for the first time in a T20 match in Canberra.
South Africa Women won by six wickets#AUSvSA #Southafricawomencricketteam pic.twitter.com/nykONONHW6— Murtaza bin ali (@Murtazabinali) January 28, 2024
Congratulations to the Proteas Women who have beaten Australia a match for the very first time!!
Tasmin Britz and Laura Wolvaardt led the way in a successful chase of 143#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/98u5Z0wpBB
— Werner (@Werries_) January 28, 2024
An unbeaten 58 from captain, Laura Wolvaardt guided SA Women home to a comfortable 6 wicket win to level the series 👏#AUSWvSAW #AUSvSA
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 28, 2024
South Africa Women claim their first ever T20I victory over Australia. SA restricted AUS to 142/6, then fifty from captain Wolvaardt and 40s from Brits helped SA beat AUS by 6 wickets#AUSvSA #AUSWvSAW #CricketTwitter
— Zen Crick-IT (@zencrickit) January 28, 2024
Excellent win by the @ProteasWomenCSA over @AusWomenCricket to level the T20 series. Captain @LauraWolvaardt led the way with the bat but it was the bowlers who set up the match. They restricted the Aussie batters with a well executed bowling plan. On to Hobart. #AUSWvSAW
— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60) January 28, 2024
Unbeaten 58 to captain Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa women beat Australia women 1st time in WT20Is. 24th time South Africa has played Australia.
Alyssa Healy the first captain to lose to South Africa in a T20I
Series 1-1. #AUSWvSAW 🏏#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/mn4tzCAzup— Ishara (@Ishara23032) January 28, 2024
Australia going to lose upcomming t20 wc if Healy,Mooney and McGrath remains their top three #auswvsaw
— Gauti (@Tradergautam) January 28, 2024
Australia Women won the first T20I against South Africa early this morning
Tazmin Brits top-scored with 59* for the SA-Women#AUSWvSAW
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 27, 2024
@ProteasWomenCSA
Congratulations 👏
You guys haven’t updated anything for 4 hours now. The ladies have won in Australia but no update?!?!?! @ProteasMenCSA @ICC #AUSvSA #SAvAus— Mayur Baruah (@BaruahMayur) January 28, 2024
South Africa never defeated Australia before?! 🤯
Crazy stat this #AUSvSA— Nandhini (@nandhinithinks) January 28, 2024
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