Back to back defeats to host nation, West Indies, and powerhouse, Australia, has seen the South African women’s cricket team exit the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Friday night’s 24 run loss to Australia came with one positive in that Australia failed to dismiss South Africa, who finished on 131/7, chasing 156 to win.
Northerns star, Mignon du Preez was the star of the batters, recording her debut International Twenty20 half century, an unbeaten 53 off 46 balls. A brief partnership of 38 between Du Preez and Tryon gave South Africa hope, but she ran out of partners.
Earlier, Ismail and Sunette Loubser bagged three wickets a-piece, taking the important wickets of Nitschke and Leah Poulton (39 runs off 25) to keep Australia in check. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with three run outs by Cri-Zelda Brits, Angelique Taai and young Chloe Tryon. Despite South Africa’s efforts, Australia reached a competitive 155 all out.
On Wednesday, South Africa lost their opening match to West Indies by 17 runs. West Indies sensation, Deandra Dottin, turned the game as she smashed an unbeaten 112 off just 45 balls, becoming the first woman in international women’s cricket to score a Twenty20 century.
The loss to West Indies came on the back of a losses to Sri Lanka and India in the warm-up matches earlier in the week.
South Africa have an opportunity to end the competition on a high with a win over another powerhouse, England, in their final group game on Sunday.