Cricket
Junior Proteas into U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final─── MORGAN PIEK 07:43 Fri, 31 Jan 2025
South Africa are into the final of the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia following a five-wicket win against Australia in Kuala Lumpur.
Australia won the toss on Friday and elected to bat first in the first semi-final.
Caoimhe Bray top-scored for Australia with 36 runs, while Ella Briscoe contributed 27 off 17 balls, and the captain, Lucy Hamilton, chipped in with 18 as they posted 105/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Jemma Botha. Photo: Cricinfo
South African spinner Ashleigh van Wyk was simply outstanding with the ball, taking 3/17 in her three overs. Nthabiseng Nini of Potchefstroom took 1/18 in her three overs, while captain Kayla Reyneke and Seshnie Naidu each claimed one wicket.
South African opener Jemma Botha set the tone in the run chase with a solid knock of 37 off 24 balls, while Reyneke added 26 runs. Wicketkeeper Karabo Meso contributed 19 off 29 balls as South Africa reached the target with 11 balls to spare.
Hamilton was the pick of the Australian bowlers with figures of 2/17, while Hasrat Gill took 2/20.
Following the win, Reyneke said it was all about playing according to their game plan, while she has a lot of faith in the team, especially the batting unit. “It’s crazy! We wanted to bat first, but either way, I back the unit and the plan was clear,” said Reyneke who is in contention for the player of the T20 World Cup accolade.
“Jemma Botha does some crazy stuff and she knew what she had to do. Regarding our game plan, we wanted to play nice and intelligent cricket. I back my batting unit and that is what I will continue to do.”
South Africa will now face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England in the final. This second semi-final is scheduled to start at 8:30 on Friday.
Seshnie Naidu. Photo: Cricinfo
The win over the team from Down Under will give the young South Africans a lot of confidence, especially since they faced weaker opposition in the group stage.
This is the third consecutive final for a South African women’s team, following the senior Proteas’ back-to-back T20 World Cup final appearances in 2023 and 2024.
The final in Kuala Lumpur will be played on Sunday, with the match set to start at 08:30.
