Defending champions Australia defeated South Africa in a rain-hit semi-final to qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup final for the sixth consecutive time.
Australia posted 134-5 in 20 overs, thanks to skipper Meg Lanning who scored an unbeaten 49 to take her side at a comfortable position after early blows.
Before the Proteas could come to bat, the rain came again and impacted the match. When the rain stopped, South Africa got a revised target of 98 in 13 overs, but they could only reach 92 and lost the contest by five runs.
Australia's #T20WorldCup journey:
2009 ➜ semi-finalists
2010 ➜ champions
2012 ➜ champions
2014 ➜ champions
2016 ➜ runners-up
2018 ➜ champions
2020 ➜ FINALISTSWhat. A. Team. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/DRRJUwErZS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020
For her match-winning performance, Lanning was honored with the ‘Player of the Match’ award. Australia will now meet India in the finals, which will take place on Sunday (Mar 08) at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Well there you go 🙈@AusWomenCricket team fight their way into another @T20WorldCup final!! The weather gods were so kind to them.
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) March 5, 2020
WHAT A FEELING 😍😍😍#CmonAussie #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fmLRmh7SQ9
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 5, 2020
And that means I get to see India play the final @Melbourne. Delighted. Will be wonderful to see them win it. Will be quite an occasion at the gigantic @MCG . On my way there. #ICCWomensT20WorldCup2020
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2020
Australia are into the #T20WorldCup final! pic.twitter.com/TMH00FeeVZ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 5, 2020
Sport can be a cruel mistress sometimes. Today was particularly gutting. But, the highs and lows of professional sport are what we sign up for. Best of luck to India and Australia in the final on Sunday and thank you to everyone who supported us 🏴🦁 #T20WorldCup
— Kate Cross (@katecross16) March 5, 2020
First-ever match for Australia in Women's T20 World Cup without Ellyse Perry in the playing XI.
Perry featured in all the 36 matches played by Australia Women in the history of the tournament before today. #AUSvSA #T20WorldCup
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/Viratgalaxy18/status/1235531836106764290