“Born to perfom in finals”- Twitter reacts Beth Mooney saves Australia from faltering against South Africa
If it wasn't for Mooney, Australia would have crumbled completely. She batted throughout the innings on the slow track and was the main reason to steer her team to 156/6.
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Beth Mooney
Beth Mooney saved Australia against South Africa in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup. The Newlands crowd was enjoying the regular fall of wickets, but opener Mooney batted throughout the innings on the slow track and was the main reason to steer her team to 156/6 on Sunday (February 26) in Cape Town.
Choosing to bat first, Australia had a sedate start, before Marizanne Kapp dismissed opener Alyssa Healy (18 off 20), with the help of Nadine de Klerk’s simple catch. Ashleigh Gardner entered and slowly, she started going for biggies, but Chloe Tryron stopped her in the 12th over. Her tossed-up ball made Gardner loft it toward long off where Sune Luus grabbed it comfortably.
Next batters, Grace Harris and captain Meg Lanning could add 10 runs each, while Ellyse Perry scored seven. If it wasn’t for Mooney, Australia would have crumbled completely. Mooney remained unbeaten on 74 off 53 balls, which she scored with nine boundaries and one maximum at a strike rate of 139.62. She also became the only player in history to have scored two fifties in T20 World Cup finals.
Despite the slow surface, Australia would have been eyeing to add maybe around 15 more runs. Amongst the bowlers, Shabnim Ismail and Kapp grabbed two each, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tyron picked up one wicket each.
Related: Shabnim Ismail scripts her name in history books, records fastest delivery in women’s cricket
Check how Twitter reacted to Beth Mooney’s knock
South Africa have started their innings with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits on the crease playing at 5* and 2* respectively and South Africa have so far scored 8/0. Australia are known for digging out something somewhere to turn the tables. It will be interesting to see if the hosts are able to shock the five-time champions at home or if Australia once again will clinch the coveted trophy to continue their domination.
Australia reached the final by defeating India in the semi-final, while South Africa outclassed England to secure their maiden final World Cup berth.
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Gouri Das
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