The 2023 Women's 20-20 World Cup comes to a close as Australia take on South Africa in the final clash at Newlands, Cape Town. Both teams fielded unchanged XIs from the semi-finals for the summit clash. The encounter will be filled with emotion for all South African players and fans because it is the first time they have qualified for a World Cup final, both senior men's and women's.
When both teams came out for the national anthems. South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp couldn’t hold her emotions while singing “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” and was seen shedding tears. Kapp's sentiments about his country's historic moment mirrored those of the entire crowd in the stadium.
Marizanne Kapp in tears during the National Anthem❤️🥺
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Talking about the match, Australian captain Meg Lanning, won the toss and elected to bat first and they put up a total of 156-6 after 20 overs. Australia Women were not going good against African bowlers, but thanks to Beth Mooney's 53-ball 74, her team got to a fighting score.
The Aussie opener also became the first player to score two fifties in 20-20 World Cup finals. Apart from her, no other player performed well, their second highest score being 29 by Ashleigh Gardner. Kapp and Shabnim Ismail took two wickets each, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon picked one each.
After losing their first match against Sri Lanka, South Africa made a remarkable comeback to reach the final. In the semi-final, the Proteas beat England Women by 6 runs after Tasmin Brits' 68 and Ayabonga Khaka's four-wicket haul. Australia, meanwhile thrashed India in a nail-biting match to march into the final clash.
In the ongoing final, South Africa did exceedingly well to restrict Australia to 156 runs in the first innings. The likes of Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp picked two wickets each. In reply, South Africa, currently, have managed to score 37 runs for the loss of one wicket in 7.3 overs.
The hosts need 120 runs in 75 balls to win the final and, thereby lift the trophy.