South Africa beat Australia by five wickets in Kuala Lumpur on Friday to reach the final of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup.
Chasing a paltry 106, South Africa overhauled the target with 11 balls to spare. Opener Jemma Botha top scored with 37 off 24 balls while skipper Kayla Reyneke struck a run-a-ball 26. With the ball, left-arm spinner Ashleigh van Wyk spun a web around the Australians, finishing with figures of four for 17 in three overs.
Only three batters scored in double-digit numbers as Australia was restricted to 105 for eight in 20 overs after electing to bat. With the Aussies struggling at 62 for five at around the 15-over mark, it was Ella Briscoe’s brisk cameo of 27 off 17 balls that helped the Aussies breach the 100-run mark.
Though South Africa did lose three wickets for 56 runs, the 38-run fourth wicket partnership between Reyneke and Karaba Meso sealed the deal.
India and England, finallists of the previous edition of the tournament in 2023, will face off in the second semifinal at the same venue later in the day.
The final will be held on Sunday at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.