Australia emerged victorious against South Africa in the third and final T20I of the three-match series that took place at the Bellerive Oval. The match witnessed some exceptionally cricketing performances from both sides, but it was Australia’s Beth Mooney‘s stellar knock that eventually shifted the momentum in her team’s favour as she guided the Aussie side to a series-clinching victory over the visitors.
Marizanne Kapp goes into rampage mode
Asked to bat first in the series decider, South Africa Women posted a competitive total of 162/7 in their allotted 20 overs, with Marizanne Kapp being the standout performer, scoring an impressive 75 runs off 48 balls, including ten fours and one six. Contributions from Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk bolstered the innings. The Australian bowlers shared the wickets, with Annabel Sutherland, Megan Schutt, and Tahlia McGrath each taking crucial wickets.
Beth Mooney’s heroic effort
In response, Australia Women chased down the target of 163 with four balls to spare, securing a victory by five wickets. Beth Mooney played a pivotal role, scoring a brilliant 82 runs off 55 balls, supported by Ashleigh Gardner’s quickfire 26 runs off 17 balls. Despite a few quick wickets, Australia’s batting depth shone through as they clinched the win.
South Africa’s bowlers, including Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Chloe Tryon, managed to take wickets but couldn’t prevent Australia from reaching the target.
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Australia seals the series
With this win, Australia Women won the three-match T20I series 2-1. The leg showcased exciting cricket, with Australia dominating the first T20I, South Africa bouncing back in the second, and Australia ultimately emerging victorious in the final game.
The Player of the Match rightfully went to Mooney for her sensational match-winning inning. The focus now shifts to the ODI leg between the two sides that is scheduled to commence from February 3 in Adelaide.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Winning matches battling the heat
A Test match with a broken jaw
A series-deciding hand having been ill most of the day.
Superhuman from Beth Mooney again#AUSvSA
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) January 30, 2024
Beth Mooney, the artist 👑 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/oaS4FRlwdW
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 30, 2024
Player of the match: Beth Mooney 🏏#women #cricket #BethMooney #AUSvSA #australiacricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/ELAMUOB6eV
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 30, 2024
Mighty stuff from Beth Mooney in this series 👏#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/OBIzX6rgCG
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 30, 2024
Australia Women won the T20I series 2-1 after their 5 wicket win in the final game today
Marizanne Kapp top-scored for SA with 75, but Beth Mooney took Australia home with 82#AUSWvSAW
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 30, 2024
Beth Mooney has gastro (or something similar) this morning and could barely walk. Tonight, she’s scored 82 off 55.
Just an alien doing alien things!
In Mooney We Trust. 💚💛
— Braedyn Smith (@BraedynSmith) January 30, 2024
Beth Mooney in 2023, which is supposedly a sub-par year by her standards: 1040 runs at 49.52 across formats (ODI SR 90, T20Is 120).
And she starts 2024 with two fifties in three games so far….
— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) January 30, 2024
Forget Jordan, did we just witness Beth Mooney pull off the greatest ‘flu game’ @7Cricket @AusWomenCricket #AUSvSA
— Matt Styling (@StylingMatt) January 30, 2024
Kappie delivered a 𝐛𝐨𝐱-𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 performance in her 100th T20I 🍿🏏#AUSvSA #MarizanneKapp pic.twitter.com/BDKoyc0bWz
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 30, 2024
Beth Mooney Absolutely LEGEND❤️
— Muhammad khalil🇵🇰 (@Azha45448Azhar) January 27, 2024
Beth Mooney is therapeutic #AUSvSA
— Ananya Sarkar (@onnonya_tweets) January 30, 2024
@FoxCricket it’s always been about Lanning, Perry, Healy, Gardner etc
But Beth Mooney rarely gets enough credit for the superstar she is!!
— Justin Toomey (@sockit_151) January 30, 2024
Beth Mooney, the subject of some interesting cricket headlines recently!
— Sonam Murarkar (@murarkar_sonam) January 30, 2024
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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