By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Australia defeated South Africa by 65 runs in their opening match of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
A quickfire innings from Phoebe Litchfield aided by cameos from Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland propelled Australia to 172 for 8.
South African bowlers tried to make life difficult for their rivals, taking wickets at regular intervals. Nonkululeko Mlaba was exceptional in her team’s opening game, claiming 2/22 in her four overs. While Nadine De Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka also returned with two wickets each, they couldn’t quite keep the run rate in check.
Aiming to pull off the biggest chase in T20 World Cup history, South Africa got off to a difficult start as Suné Luus and Annerie Dercksen departed cheaply to leave the Proteas seven for two.
South Africa were bowled out for 107, their second-lowest total in a completed T20I innings against Australia, to receive a jolting start to a campaign they entered as one of the favourites.
South Africa, which had beaten Australia in the 2024 semifinals, needed some big innings and partnerships if they were going to complete the record chase. But they never really got off the ground.
The Proteas Women may now have to beat India when the sides meet on Sunday, 21 June on the same ground.
“It was a tough day today. I thought restricting them to 172 was not too bad, but we lost our way with the bat,” said South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt after the match.
Scores in brief:
Australia 172/8 in 20 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 50, Ellyse Perry 36; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/22, Ayabonga Khaka 2/33)
South Africa 107 all out in 16.4 overs (Wolvaardt 44, Nadine de Klerk 25; Georgia Wareham 3/13, Sophie Molineux 2/17)
Result: Australia win by 65 runs.
Earlier in a blustery, overcast Manchester, Scotland earned its first World Cup win at Ireland‘s expense by a comfortable 40 runs. Ireland, chasing a first win for 12 years, dropped its win-loss record to 0-18.