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Australia Women almost maintained their very dominant form against South Africa Women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This happened rather ruthlessly, in a one-sided affair with Australia winning by 65 runs at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

Australia has been making such statements in the big tournaments for quite some time now. This victory meant that they extended their winning streak in the Women’s T20 World Cup against South Africa to eight out of nine games. The only match that South Africa managed to win was the semi-final between both teams in 2024, and they redeemed themselves by putting on an all-around show in Manchester.

For South Africa Women, however, this loss meant they registered their biggest ever defeat in terms of run deficit in a Women’s T20 World Cup game. The previous record of the highest run deficit was 56 runs, which they conceded against England Women in Basseterre in 2010.

Australia didn’t exactly start like they were cruising, they lost Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll early, and it looked a bit shaky. But then Phoebe Litchfield arrived and shifted everything. It was an attacking half-century that flipped the tempo.

Litchfield made 50 runs off 24 balls , hitting nine fours and one six. That innings added pressure, a lot, on the South African bowlers, and it let Australia recover fast, like instantly.

After that Ellyse Perry came in and made a solid 36 off 26 balls. Georgia Wareham chipped in too with 32 from 22 deliveries. Annabel Sutherland, also, added 21 runs and in the end Australia finished on 172 for 8 in their 20 overs, pretty competitive.

South Africa’s bowlers fought, sure, even though the conditions were tricky. Nonkululeko Mlaba was the one bright spot with 2 for 22, from her four overs. Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk also took two wickets each, so they weren’t hiding.

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Chasing 173 was always going to be hard against Australia’s bowling. South Africa couldn’t really build the partnerships they needed to stay in it for long. Every time they started to get something going, Australia answered with another wicket, at regular intervals, and that kept the batters from settling.

The required run rate kept climbing, and the pressure started forcing mistakes. As the chase went on Australia stayed in total control. South Africa finally finished way short of the target and Australia wrapped it up with that comfortable 65-run win.

This was the kind of all-round display that shows why Australia are among the strongest sides in world cricket. Plus the victory tightened their grip in Group A, and it also sent a pretty clear signal to the other teams.

Australia Women posted 172 for 8 in 20 overs. Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 50 from 24 balls. Ellyse Perry made 36, and Georgia Wareham contributed 32. Annabel Sutherland had 21, while Nicola Carey stayed unbeaten on 13.

For South Africa Women, Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2 wickets for 22. Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets each. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail grabbed one wicket apiece.

South Africa Women couldn’t chase 173 and ended up losing by 65 runs. That made it their biggest defeat by runs in Women’s T20 World Cup history. Meanwhile Australia improved their World Cup record against South Africa to eight wins from nine meetings.