Now bring on Indians

Semi glory in the rain

AUSTRALIA’S women’s Twenty20 World Cup title defence is still alive after it beat the weather and South Africa by a rain-affected five runs to reach Sunday’s final against India.

In a dramatic rain-affected night at the SCG, Australia’s 5-134 became a target of 98 from 13 overs for South Africa, before they held them to 5-92 in a thrilling finish.

With light rain falling and Australia set to be knocked out if the match was drawn, Megan Schutt helped the hosts strangle South Africa out of the game in the chase.

It came after England’s tournament had been ended without a ball bowled in their semi-final against India, amid criticism for the lack of a reserve day.

Australia also looked set to suffer the same fate when the start was delayed by 25 minutes, before another 48-minute hold up between innings.

But after Meg Lanning set the game up with her 49 not out and players returned nine minutes before the match would have been abandoned, Australia’s bowlers proved the difference. Schutt was clinical, sending down three overs for 2-17 and removing the dangerous Dane van Niekerk with a brilliant inswinger.

Delissa Kimmince also sent down 1-16 from three, as Jess Jonassen defended the 19 required from the final over despite late hitting from Laura Wolvaardt (41 not out from 27).

The result realistically keeps organisers’ hopes alive of a record crowd of more than 90,000 at the MCG for the final, with Australia and India the competition’s two biggest drawcards.

India beat Australia by 17 runs in the tournament opener, but the hosts look a far more settled team than they were a fortnight ago — even without the injured Ellyse Perry. Openers Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy both showed glimpses of their attacking best, getting the defending champions off to a flyer. The pair whacked eight boundaries between them, both often using their feet with as Mooney hit 28 from 24 balls before being bowled.

Lanning also opted to take on the spinners, hitting counterpart van Niekerk back over mid-off for six before acting as the aggressor again late.

It helped put Australia within touching distance of its fifth title in its sixth decider, while India will be playing in its first final.