Image Credit- CA
Thanks to some outstanding hitting from captain Alyssa
Healy, Australia easily defeated South Africa in their opening Twenty20
International match of the series.
Due to her sickness, the wicketkeeper-batter was
doubtful for the match at Manuka Oval. However, she showed well and went on to
score the game-winning 46, helping the hosts win with five balls and eight
wickets remaining.
Tazmin Brits, the South African opener, scored a fine
half-century to help her team reach 147 for 6, but that was far short of a
competitive total against the powerful Australians.
Beth Mooney maintained her excellent recent success by
cashing in late and finishing with an undefeated 72.
With two sixes and six fours in her 46 off 28 balls,
Healy swiftly broke the back of the chase and looked in excellent touch from
the time she took to the crease.
The shot of the innings was likely an extraordinary
flick over midwicket that trapped South African bowler Marizanne Kapp for four,
but there was also a huge six that was smashed straight back over Nonkululeko
Mlaba’s head.
Australia were practically home by the time Healy
fell, chipping Nadine de Klerk to long-on. Mooney and Tahlia McGrath, who found
scoring hard work, led Australia to victory in the last over, never looking
like they would lose.
With three T20Is, three ODIs, and a Test match
scheduled over the course of the next month, South Africa and Australia are
playing a multi-format series, but it wasn’t the start the team was hoping for.
In capturing 2 for 20 in her opening overs, Australian
pace bowler Darcie Brown claimed two significant early wickets. Ellyse Perry,
who bowled more than two in a T20I innings for the first time since February
2020, also contributed to limiting South Africa’s score with 2 for 13 in her
three overs.
Before the series moves to Hobart on Tuesday, Canberra
will host the second Twenty20 International on Sunday morning.