Australia save the worst for semi-final, with forgetful powerplay

Australia got off to the worst start possible on the biggest day, putting just 35 runs on the board in the first semi-final against South Africa on October 17. After being sent into batting first, Ayabonga Khaka knocked off Grace Harris in the second over of the innings. 

Harris’ experiment as an opener didn’t work out in the semi-final. Their openers averaged 21.80, the third-lowest in any edition of a T20 World Cup. 

Georgie Wareham’s experiment at No.3 failed yet again, with the right-handed batter getting out for a nine-ball five. While she did score 57 off 30 against Bangladesh prior to the tournament, she could only score 34 off 31 in the next four matches, averaging 8.5. 

At 18/2, Australia needed the best out of their No.4 batter, Tahlia McGrath. The right-hander punished South Africa’s in-form bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba for two boundaries in the last over of the powerplay to finish on 35/2. 

That’s the lowest score for Australia after the first six overs in this tournament. Not only that, it is also the second-lowest score for an Australian side in any powerplay in the knockouts of a Women’s T20 World Cup, since 2012.

Nothing changed after the powerplay, as Australia could only labour on to 53 at the halfway stage, their lowest score in this edition after 10 overs. 

Can McGrath and co change their fortunes after the 10-over mark? 

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