Women’s T20 World Cup Semi-final: Australia vs South Africa Best Bets & Prediction

The first semifinal of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will see Australia take on South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday. We’ve prepared the best bets and prediction for this crucial encounter.

Venue: Dubai International Stadium.

Betting Preview

Australia, six-time champions, have showcased their dominance in this tournament right from the start. They kicked off with a clinical performance against Sri Lanka, restricting them to 93/7, thanks to Megan Schutt’s brilliant 3/12. Beth Mooney anchored the chase with 43 off 38, securing a six-wicket win with 34 balls remaining. This was followed by a commanding 60-run victory over New Zealand, with Mooney again top-scoring with 40, and Schutt (3/3) alongside Annabel Sutherland (3/21) leading the bowling attack.

In their match against Pakistan, Ashleigh Gardner stepped up, taking 4/21 and setting up a straightforward chase of 83, which Australia achieved with nine wickets and nine overs to spare. India posed a slightly tougher challenge, but Australia managed 151/8, with Grace Harris (40) and Ellyse Perry (32) playing key roles. Their bowlers stifled India’s batters, never letting them catch up, with Sutherland’s 2/22 being the standout performance. However, Australia has had setbacks with injuries to key players, including Tayla Vlaeminck and captain Alyssa Healy, who may miss the upcoming match.

South Africa, too, has shown their strength, particularly in their ten-wicket thrashing of the West Indies, where Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits hit fifties, and Nonkululeko Mlaba took 4/29. They followed it up with an 80-run victory over Scotland, driven by strong contributions from both openers and Marizanne Kapp (43 off 24). Though they suffered a last-over defeat to England, South Africa’s form was evident, with Brits bouncing back in their seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.

Heading into the semi-final, South Africa may have a slight advantage, having already played three games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while Australia has yet to play any. South Africa’s strong opening partnerships and early breakthroughs with the ball will be crucial if they hope to challenge the Australians, who remain favourites. Many neutrals may be rooting for South Africa, but they will need to be at their very best to topple the dominant Australian side.

South Africa’s strong top order makes them a serious threat to Australia, but Australia’s dominant bowling attack has consistently shut down opponents. Expect their bowlers to guide them to another Women’s T20 World Cup final. Back Australia to win at 1.14.

Players to Watch: Beth Mooney averages 72.25 in six T20Is against South Africa, with three fifties. She has an excellent record in the T20 World Cup too and was responsible for the win in the last final – a 74* off 50 setting up a successful defense of the target and their title. Count on Mooney to get back amongst the runs after a failure against India, particularly as she boasts a personal WT20I average of 71 against the seven bowlers South Africa used in their previous game.

Nonkululeko Mlaba is the second highest wicket-taker this World Cup, with nine wickets at an average of 8.22. She’s taken a wicket in all four games and in fact has only gone wicketless thrice in fourteen T20 World Cup games. Her record against Australia in this format is steady if not remarkable – five wickets in six games at an average of 29 and economy of 8.05. South Africa will need her to stand up once more in this tournament.

Prediction: Australia to win at 1.14.

Key Stats

The average run rate in Dubai at this WT20 World Cup is just 6.24rpo, though South Africa’s run rate in their three games was a much better 7.37rpo. 

Australia have only lost eight of 48 games in Women’s T20 World Cups.

Megan Schutt took at least one wicket in each of her last 15 World Cup matches. 

Marizanne Kapp has dismissed Tahlia McGrath six times in all WT20s for just 41 runs conceded.

Kapp averages more than 40 in all WT20s against Australia’s last bowling unit, even despite Ash Gardner’s personal H2H figures of 3-46. 

Nadine de Klerk has scored 77 runs in all ODIs and WT20Is against Australia’s last six bowlers without being dismissed. 

Laura Wolvaardt averages 40 in all WT20s and 53.5 in WT20Is only against Australia’s last bowling attack, with no bowler dismissing her more than twice. 

Chloe Tryon has been dismissed seven times at an average of 19 in all WT20s by Australia’s last bowling unit.

Best Bets

Best Bet: Fall of 1st wicket to be under 19.5 at 1.86.

Alternative bet: Highest individual score to be over 53.5 at 1.86.