South Africa can change face of women’s sport in their country at T20 World Cup final, says Phoebe Graham | Cricket News

South Africa play Australia in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday live on Sky Sports. Proteas beat England in the semifinals starring Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Ayabonga Khaka

Phoebe Graham looks ahead to Sunday’s T20 World Cup final between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town and says the host country has a chance to change the face of women’s sport in the country…

South Africa’s win over England is a historic moment in their sporting history.

They are now in their first T20 World Cup final and, as host country, they are setting the stage to change the face of women’s sport in their country.

Siya Kolisi was in the semifinals and spoke about the impact South Africa had in winning the 2020 Men’s Rugby World Cup. “Sport has the power to unite a nation and this is a great opportunity for women’s sport in our country,” he said.

Kolisi is an ally of women’s sport and his presence only added to the atmosphere at a sold-out Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.

“South Africa is calm and calculated while England feels the pressure”

South Africa played out of hand to steer the game away from one of the tournament favorites in England. They played a different style to England’s fearless and brave cricket. They were calm and calculated.

They scored just 37 points from the power play after deciding to bat, but not losing a wicket allowed them to accelerate.

The frustration of Laura Wolvaardt (53/44) and Tazmin Brits (68/55), who showed calm and class, unsettled England and the pressure was on them. We saw misses, bad throws and unfulfilled plans.

As always, Sophie Eccelestone performed and scored Wolvaardt’s breakthrough. It was a big point in the game but not enough to contain South Africa, who scored 164 points in their 20 overs.

Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s final over went 18 runs, including a chest-high no-ball that was batted for four. She was visibly irritated in the previous overs, which reflected in the team’s energy. It’s the first time England have been put under pressure and lost the composure we’ve become so accustomed to.

It left a great task for England. It played in their new brand of fearless cricket, but it would require nerves of steel and great power with the bat. Starting in their true style, they recorded 53 from five overs and it looked like an enjoyable chase.

However, there was some outstanding field strength and athleticism from South Africa. The British made four brilliant catches including a dive to sack Alice Capsey. The hosts excelled – they had clear, calm plans and went to their deaths on slower balls and knives as the pitch began to wear down.

England needed just under two per ball to go into their last five overs. They appeared to be in control but a stellar 18th over by Ayabonga Khaka, who won three wickets, put victory in South Africa’s hands. It was a brilliant team effort with bat, ball and on the field.

South Africa’s teamwork has seen them through and their players are at their best at the right time but Australia will be the absolute favorites with all their big guns firing from the racquet and on the field.

“Australia won the crucial moments against India”

Both semifinals were hard-fought, high-scoring games that were narrowly won. What impressed me the most were the three things they had in common: runs on the board, clinical fieldwork and the ability to absorb pressure.

Australia is known as a nation that displays these qualities which is why they are champions again and have yet to be defeated in this tournament.

Ellyse Perry saved two runs with a jump stop in the penultimate game against India, Ashleigh Gardner trailed Harmanpreet Kaur for 52 as India ran away from the game. Australia knew how to win the decisive moments in the game and stayed calm in the field.

What shocked us about this tournament is that South Africa has risen to the top. Their stars have risen to the top, with Britons Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Khaka and Marizanne Kapp peaking at just the right time.

They made their intentions clear ahead of the tournament with the selection, skipping Dane van Niekerk for fitness reasons and sending a strong message to young girls and boys who wanted to play at the top.

I support South Africa. I hope they go out and inspire every young girl and boy who is watching and help change the face of women’s sport in their country.

You have done your nation so proud so far. Let’s hope they can do it again against the dominant Aussies.

Watch the Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and South Africa live on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. before the first ball at 1 p.m.