After what has been an incredible tournament in South Africa, the world is eagerly waiting to watch the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 finale between Australia and the hosts. The Aussies are the only team in the competition to have an unbeaten run in the tournament and as they showed in the semi-final against India, they know how to fight back even from situations where the match seems to have slipped away from their hands.
South Africa, on the other hand, are surprise entrants to the finale especially because they had lost two of their matches in the group stage itself. However, they delivered in the knock-out fixture against England and would be brimming with confidence heading into the summit clash in conditions they know best. The Proteas should enjoy a massive home advantage and recently also defeated India in a Tri-Series final which should also give them the assurance that it is possible for them to go past the five-time champions.
Having said that, Australia have a 6-0 record against South Africa in the T20 World Cup and this is very much a familiar territory for the Meg Lanning-led team who will play their seventh straight final. The hosts, meanwhile, will participate in their first-ever final in this competition.
Australia are the most successful team and also the defending champions of two times which is in sharp contrast to Sune Luus captained South Africa who have never won the tournament. Their staggering record and the fact that they have been there and done that makes the Women In Yellow the overwhelming favourites before the start of the match.
But often neutral fans love a great underdog story. The fact that South Africa will be playing at home could also be a slight advantage especially if the ladies from the rainbow country don’t let the occasion get the better of them.
Nothing is guaranteed in live sports but what’s guaranteed though is that history will be scripted in one way or the other. Brace yourselves for an exciting finish!
Squads:
Australia: Alyssa Healy (wicketkeeper), Meg Lanning (captain), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Heather Graham, Kim Garth
South Africa: Sune Luus (captain), Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Lara Goodall, Delmi Tucker, Annerie Dercksen