The ongoing 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reached its business end, with all 20 group matches concluded and the knockouts approaching.
From Group A, Australia and New Zealand advanced to the knockouts. Australia remained unbeaten, winning all four of their group matches, while New Zealand secured three victories, with their only defeat coming against Australia.
Group B witnessed a tense finish, with three teams—West Indies, South Africa, and England—tied on six points. In a crucial final group-stage match, West Indies defeated England, which significantly impacted England’s net run rate. With a superior run rate, West Indies topped the group, while South Africa claimed the second spot, edging out England, who missed out due to their inferior net run rate.
The two semifinals of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held on October 17 and 18, respectively. Semi-Final 1 will see Australia taking on South Africa at the Dubai International Stadium, a rematch of the 2023 T20 World Cup final, where Australia had the upper hand.
Looking back, Australia has dominated South Africa in the T20I format, winning 9 of their 10 encounters. Their first World Cup meeting was in 2009 at Taunton, with Australia emerging victorious. In the 2020 edition, the two teams met in the semi-finals for the first time. Australia had set a target of 135, but rain reduced South Africa’s chase to a revised target of 98 in 13 overs. Australia secured a narrow 5-run win in that match.
In total, Australia remains unbeaten against South Africa in World Cup matches, winning all 7 meetings, including the 2023 final hosted by South Africa, where Australia claimed their sixth title. Earlier this year, in January 2024, Australia won a three-match bilateral series 2-1, but South Africa made history by claiming their first-ever T20I win over Australia in the second match.
As the two teams prepare to meet again at the ring light Dubai International Stadium, the question remains: Will Australia continue their dominance, or can the Proteas turn the tables this time?
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