Skip to content
GO TO bet365 Sports
Women's Cricket
  1. Cricket

Women's T20 World Cup: Aussies wary of South Africa threat

The Dubai International Stadium is the venue for Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final, with Australia hot favourites to make the final.

The reigning champions won all four of their group games and look to be on track to win a seventh T20 World Cup.

Main contenders crash out

Going into this tournament, England and India were seen as the most likely rivals to Australia to lift the trophy.

Both though have crashed out at the group stages, with West Indies defeating England in their final group game, while India finished third in Group A.

That has led to most pundits predicting another tournament success for Shelley Nitschke’s team, although the coach will be desperate to point out that there is a big test ahead.

Despite being the best side in the event so far, Australia, who are 1.30 to lift the trophy, don’t have any players at the top of the tournament stats.

Megan Schutt is third in the wicket standings, with eight scalps to date, while Ellyse Perry is the 11th highest run-scorer with 101 in the four group games.

South Africa threat is evident

The Aussies are as short as 1.14 to win the first semi-final and if they get through, West Indies or New Zealand will await them in the final.

Australia are seeking a 10th victory in 11 T20 international meetings with South Africa, although their only defeat to their semi-final opponents came this year in Canberra.

South Africa openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on 75 in that game, helping their side to a six-wicket victory, and they have also been in fine form in this tournament.

They put on an unbroken stand of 119 in South Africa’s win over the Windies, while Brits was the leading run scorer in the group stage, with 155 runs in four innings.

Skipper Wolvaardt, who made 61 in last year's final, was fourth in the stats, having racked up 148 at an average of 49.33.

If South Africa, who can be backed at 5.50, can post a strong opening partnership then they will fancy their chances of an upset, especially as Australia's captain Alyssa Healy is a major injury doubt.

Ash Gardner, player of the tournament at the 2023 T20 World Cup, deputised as skipper against India and the spinner took 4-21 against Pakistan in Dubai.

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy