Four-time champions Australia are to meet India in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup final after rain-marred semi-finals yesterday sparked calls for reserve days to be included in future events.
The titleholders stormed into their sixth final with a five-run win over South Africa in a tense battle that saw the final overs played in a drizzle.
Unbeaten India were due to face 2009 champions England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the first semi-final, but heavy showers began early in the day and barely let up.
Photo: AP
A minimum of 10 overs per side were needed for a result and the umpires called it off without a ball being bowled.
With no reserve day, the highest-ranked teams from the two groups would move into the final if play is not possible, putting India through to their first-ever decider.
“From day one, we knew we had to win all the games in case the semis didn’t happen,” Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur said. “First T20 World Cup final means a lot for us, but as a team, we just want to play our best cricket in the final.”
The rain eased for the second semi-final and Australia hit 134-5 off their 20 overs, with skipper Meg Lanning top-scoring on 49 and Nadine de Klerk taking 3-19.
However, rain briefly returned at the interval and the Proteas were set a goal of 98 from 13 overs to win under the Duckworth-Lewis method, but could only manage 92-5.
“It was extremely tense. Even in the last couple of balls it just wasn’t safe. We felt we had a good total without it being great,” Lanning said.
“India are a class side, they have been playing excellent cricket, but we have been improving each day,” she added.
Big-hitting opener Lizelle Lee smacked a huge six to get the South Africa run chase under way, but, tempted into another, holed out to Ashleigh Gardner on the boundary ropes.
Skipper Dane van Niekerk looked dangerous, but pace spearhead Megan Schutt clean-bowled her for 12, then Lanning took a difficult catch to remove Mignon du Preez and leave South Africa struggling at 26-3.
However, Laura Wolvaardt (41 not out) and Sune Luus (21) got them back on track to set up an exciting finale, with 32 runs needed off the final three overs, only to fall short.
Earlier, Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy set about building a big total for Australia.
Healy fell after a quick-fire 18 and Mooney blasted 28 before being clean-bowled by De Klerk.
South Africa put the brakes on the run rate and grabbed two more quick wickets before Rachael Haynes (17) and Lanning guided them to a winning total.
“It was very emotional to see the ladies like that. To come short every time is difficult,” Van Niekerk said of her devastated team.
A reserve day is allowed for the final and the lack of one for the semi-finals was criticized by some players, with Kaur among those calling for change.
“Having reserve days ... will be a great idea,” Kaur said.
England captain Heather Knight said before the match that “there will be a lot of pressure on the ICC to change” the rules.
“Really frustrating,” she said after the washout. “Not how we wanted the World Cup to finish for us. No reserve day, no chance of getting play.”
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