The stage is set for a blockbuster ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final as the Proteas Women take on six-time champions Australia at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday evening.
The match, scheduled to start at 18h00 local time (16h00 SAST) and broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Ch. 201), will see South Africa aiming to reach their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.
Historically, Australia has dominated this fixture, winning nine of the ten T20 Internationals (T20I) between the two sides, including a 19-run victory in the final of last year’s T20 World Cup. However, South Africa’s sole win against the Aussies in the format came in January this year, a six-wicket victory in Canberra, providing a significant confidence boost heading into this high-stakes encounter.
The Proteas have also been imperious at the Dubai International Stadium, winning all three of their T20I matches at this venue during the ongoing World Cup. Captain Laura Wolvaardt believes this gives her side confidence going into the game.
“It’s a massive game for us. It brings back memories of facing Australia in the final last year, but a lot has happened since then. Those two wins against them earlier this year gives us positive energy, knowing that if we play our best cricket, they are beatable.”
Wolvaardt also highlighted the difference in approach from last year’s tournament:
“We’ve had a year of experience and some changes in the team. Fresh faces and ideas, particularly with the new coaching staff, bringing a different energy. It’s been a bit of an up-and-down year, but I feel like we’ve hit our stride in this World Cup, and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
For South Africa, the in-form opening partnership between Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits has been crucial, with the duo amassing 237 runs at an average of 79, the highest of any pair in the competition. They are just 63 runs shy of becoming the first pair to score 300+ runs in multiple editions of the tournament.
Australia’s depth remains a key challenge, with Wolvaardt acknowledging their ability to bounce back even after losing wickets:
“Their depth is just incredible, and they’ve gone to (batter) eight and nine quite a few times. Tomorrow, it will be about controlling that run rate as much as we can and matching up smartly against their line-up.”
Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba will also be one to watch for South Africa, needing just one more wicket to become the first South African bowler to take 10 wickets in a Women’s T20 World Cup tournament, and three wickets to join an elite group of bowlers with 50 career T20I wickets.
Though Australia come into the match as favourites, Wolvaardt emphasised the importance of focusing on their own game:
“It’s easy to get swept up in Australia’s achievements, but at the end of the day, if we play a good game of cricket, I believe we have the talent to beat them. T20 cricket is a bit crazy sometimes, anything can happen, and we just need to keep our focus simple and on ourselves.”
