‘Invincible’ Australia stand between South Africa and their fairytale

Cape Town: South Africa will get their fairytale finish at home if they find a way to halt the Australian juggernaut in the Women’s T20 World Cup final here on Sunday.
South Africa showed commendable fighting spirit to upset England in the semifinal but they will need to stitch together a perfect game to topple the mighty Australia, who are the record five-time champions and are in their seventh successive final.
South Africa have made rapid strides over the past 12 months and after making the semifinals of the ODI World Cup last year, they entered their maiden final of an ICC event here on Friday.
South Africa have one of the best opening pairings of the tournament in Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, a former world junior javelin champion whose Olympic dream was dashed by a car accident in 2012.
Both go into the final in fine form and will be crucial to the side’s chances against Australia, who beat India in the semi-finals despite not showing their best game.
All-rounder Marizanne Kapp is another key player for South Africa and made a much-needed cameo in the semi-finals.
Skipper Sune Luus believes she has the world’s best bowling attack at her disposal, and why not when you have the fast-paced duo of Shabnam Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka in your ranks.
The crowd will be fully behind South Africa and the home side will try to feed off of them like they did on Friday.
Australia easily beat South Africa in the group stage but will be cautious in the title fight.
Australia, by far the most successful team in women’s cricket history, are looking good to extend their dominance.
They’ve got all the bases covered and no amount is safe when hunting. India only needed 39 from their last five overs but Australia didn’t give up and gave their 100 percent on the field to win the game in their favour.
Champion outfits find a way to win even when things don’t go their way, and the team led by Meg Lanning is known for it.
South Africa opener Britz was asked about Australia’s undisputed dominance after Friday’s famous win over England.
“I’m a little too straight forward so I’m trying to work on that because I like to say things as they come – but at the end of the day cricket is a very fun game and Australia could be at the top but at the top eventually you play the ball, not the players, and I think that’s what we did with this England team.
“We didn’t play England, who we’ve always lost to, and it’s a constant reminder that I’ve heard I’ve never been there. They know the semi-final when they lost is the first semi-final I’ve ever been in and the first time against England so we’ll take it as it comes but we’re really excited to go to the final.” said the opening player.
Australia: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham.
South Africa: Sune Luus (c), Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail, Tazmin Brits, Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Anneke Bosch and Delmi Tucker .