Dubai: South Africa’s stunning win over Australia at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 was only the second time they had beaten the Aussies in their history.
The Proteas’ eight-wicket win saw a host of other records made, in a game that upset the odds.
This was South Africa’s first-ever win over Australia at a Women’s T20 World Cup. The Proteas had been beaten in seven straight meetings prior to Thursday night’s stunning result.
South Africa have now reached back-to-back Women’s T20 World Cup finals, and are searching for the nation’s first World Cup win for either the men’s or women’s teams.
Anneke Bosch’s brilliant 74 not out has made it into the top three for highest scores in successful run chases at Women’s T20 World Cups, bettered only by Sophie Devine in 2020 and Claire Taylor in 2009.
It is also the third-highest score by any batter against Australia in the tournament’s history.
With New Zealand or West Indies to meet South Africa on Sunday, it will be the first time that one of Australia or England doesn’t feature in a Women’s World Cup final, across both the T20I or ODI formats.
Australia had been looking for a fourth consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup title and a seventh in their history.
However, 2024 becomes the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2009 that Australia have failed to reach the final – a run that spanned seven consecutive events.