South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba (L) celebrates after the dismissal of Australia's Meg Lanning (R) during the Group A T20 women's World Cup cricket match between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Gqeberha Proteas bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba could be one of the players that turns the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia in Dubai on Thursday. Picture: Marco Longari/AFP
The old foes — Australia and South Africa — will have their battle lines drawn once again in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Thursday.
The last time the sides met in a World Cup game was the T20 final in Cape Town last year. That match of course ended in favour of the Aussies, as the Proteas could not pull off the victory in front of their home fans in Cape Town.
In fact, South Africa have only ever beaten Australia once — and that victory came in their three-match T20I series against the Aussies on their home turf earlier this year.
While the odds will be stacked against the Proteas pulling off just their second-ever win against the titans of women’s cricket, here are five players that have the potential to change the outcome.
The Proteas opener Laura Wolvaardt usually sets the tone for her side batting at the top of the order. If Wolvaardt does well, so do the Proteas. In the high profile clash, much responsibility will lie on the shoulders of the most elegant stroke-player in the South African batting lineup.
As one of the most dominant players of women’s cricket of all time, Ellyse Perry is the biggest star in the Aussie side. While Australia have been unbeaten so far in this World Cup, Perry’s contributions have been solid but not outstanding with scores of 32, 22, 30 and 17.
It’s no secret that together with Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits forms a formidable opening pair. He hard-hitting Brits has already scored a half century along with two scores in the 40s at this World Cup. A similar contribution or better, would go a long way to setting up a strong challenge for Australia.
In Sophie Molineux Australia have another wily campaigner that can easily turn a game. In fact, Molineux has been in top form so far at the World Cup with seven wickets in four games. The Proteas would do well to deny Molineux being among the wickets.
Second on the wicket-takers list at this World Cup, Proteas left-arm slow bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba has been a star performer with nine scalps. With best bowling figures of 4/29 against the West Indies in their opening game of the tournament, the Australian batters will have to be at their best to deny Mlaba from striking.