SA v Aus Women’s World T20 Review: Blackwell, Lanning take Australia over the line

The Australian women’s cricket team was made to work hard in a run-chase of 103 by a spirited South African outfit. Choosing to bat first on a slow track in Nagpur, South Africa collapsed after a strong start of 72 for no loss and later reduced the defending champions to 9/3 and then 53/4 before Alex Blackwell and captain Meg Lanning steadied the ship for their side. Both batted solidly to remain unbeaten and overhauled the target with 9 balls to spare. Blackwell’s 42 off 46 included 4 fours while Lanning’s 30 off 19 was filled with 5 fours.

South African opener Dane van Niekerk was the first to go in the 13th over after she made 45 off 47 including 4 fours and a maximum. Kristen Beams had Niekerk caught by Rene Farrell. Lizelle Lee was soon bowled for 1 by Ellyse Perry. The other opener keeper Trisha Chetty made a fine 34 off 41 including 2 fours, however, couldn’t last the distance. She was removed by Lauren Cheatle who bowled a brilliant spell of 2/13.

South African skipper Mignon du Preez remained unbeaten on 12 off 18 even as others fell at a rapid pace. Marizanne Kapp became Perry’s second wicket after she gave Erin Osborne a catch. Kapp made 1 and her dismissal brought two more quick wickets. Sune Luss was run out for 2 while Dinesha Devnarain failed to open her account against Cheatle.

The Southern Stars were sweating on when the world No.1 batter Lanning would able to take the field during South Africa’s innings but she was able to overcome her ailment to take the field on time. It was later confirmed by a team spokesperson to be an upset stomach from some food. Lanning was dressed and walking out for the toss at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium when she suddenly hunched over at the side of the field and was taken ill, and returned to the rooms. Vice-captain Alex Blackwell took her place at the toss however Lanning was named in the XI much to her team’s relief.

While Lanning recovered to take the field for the first half of South Africa’s innings, she was again forced from the field for the last 35 minutes of their knock, meaning she was unable to bat for the equivalent time in Australia’s innings. Spin had been expected to play a major role in Nagpur but it was Proteas quicks Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp who left Australia in disarray, tearing through the top-order to leave them at 3-9.

Healy fell to fiery quick Ismail for five, while Perry followed the next over, out for a duck courtesy of Kapp. Ismail struck again to have Villani chopping on for four, leaving Australia reeling.With Lanning not yet permitted to bat due to her time spent off the field, it fell to Blackwell and Jess Jonassen to rebuild. They shared a 44-run stand that kept the Southern Stars in touch with the run rate before Lanning and Blackwell completed the victory.

Brief Scores:

South Africa Women 102/6 in 20 overs (D van Niekerk 45; E Perry 2/13, Cheatle 2/13)

Australia Women 105/4 in 18.3 overs (A Blackwell 42*; S Ismail 2/15)

Player of the Match: Meg Lanning (Australia Women)