INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Australia won the Womens T20 World Cup for the 6th time when they beat South Africa by 19 runs in the last at Newlands on Sunday.Opening
batter Beth Mooney anchored the Australian innings, scoring an unbeaten 74 in an overall of 156 for six, bagging the title of Player of the
Match.South Africa were never ever up with the needed run rate and were restricted to 137 for 6 in spite of opener Laura Wolvaardt hitting
61 off 48 balls.Wolvaardt and semi-final heroine Tazmin Brits struggled to find spaces in the field and scored just 17 runs prior to Brits
was captured at mid-on off Darcie Brown off the last ball of the 5th over.Marizanne Kapp hit 2 borders but was out for 11 and South Africa
captain Sune Luus was gone out for 2
At that phase the home side needed another 103 runs off 56 balls.Wolvaardt and the compelling Chloe Tryon gave a near-capacity crowd of
about 15,000 hope with an attacking 4th wicket partnership of 55 off 37 balls however the match was efficiently over when Wolvaardt was leg
prior to wicket to Megan Schutt in the 17th over.The left-handed Mooney played a determined innings, scoring her 74 run 53 balls while a
succession of partners batted aggressively.Asleighh Gardner, who was bestowed Player of the Tournament, and Grace Harris both batted ahead
of captain Meg Lanning and appeared to be under directions to choose their shots.South Africas bowlers carried out gradually and were
supported by passionate fielding
Stalwarts Shabnim Ismail and Kapp both took 2 wickets each.But Australia showed their quality in safeguarding their overall with athleticism
and dedication that put the South African batters under continuous pressure.Brief ratings: Australia 156-6 in 20 overs (B
Kapp 2-35) v South Africa 137-6 in 20 overs (L
Wolvaardt 61)Result: Australia won by 19 runsToss: Australia Source - France 24- Agencies
