The ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 has reached its thrilling knockout stage, where teams battle for a coveted spot in the final. The first semi-final promises an electrifying clash as South Africa and Australia lock horns, both riding high on their impressive performances. The action unfolds on January 31, 2025, at 08:00 AM IST, at the picturesque Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
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South Africa dominated Group C and continued their stellar form in Super Six Group 2, winning four out of four matches, with one game being washed out. Australia, on the other hand, topped Group D with four wins in five matches, suffering their only defeat against Sri Lanka. With both teams eager to make it to the final, expect an intense contest.
Squads:
South Africa Women’s U19 Cricket Team:
Kayla Reyneke, Jemma Botha, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simoné Lourens, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlakan, Diedré van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter
Australia Women’s U19 Cricket Team:
Chloe Ainsworth, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Caoimhe Bray, Ella Briscoe, Maggie Clark, Hasrat Gill, Lucy Hamilton, Amy Hunter, Sara Kennedy, Eleanor Larosa, Grace Lyons, Ines McKeon, Juliette Morton, Kate Pelle, Tegan Williamson
Players to watch out:
Kayla Reyneke
A dynamic all-rounder, Reyneke has been a pillar of strength for South Africa. She impressed in the warm-ups with 47 off 26 balls and 0/18 in two overs against India. She continued her fine form in the group stage, delivering match-winning spells of 2/15 against New Zealand, 2/5 against Samoa, and 2/13 against Nigeria. In the Super Six stage, she starred with 16 & 3/2 against Ireland, making her a key player for South Africa.
Mona-Lisa Legodi
A promising bowler, Legodi showcased her potential early with 2/19 against India in the warm-ups. She began the group stage with 2/8 against New Zealand but had quiet outings against Samoa (0/2) and Nigeria (0/3). However, she bounced back in the Super Six stage, producing a phenomenal 4/4 against Ireland before South Africa’s final match against the USA was abandoned.
Hasrat Gill
A true all-rounder, Hasrat has been a consistent performer throughout the tournament. She made an impact in the warm-ups with 41 (28) and 1/5. Her group-stage performances included 2/10 against Scotland, 1/18 against Bangladesh, and a stellar 30 (21) & 2/9 against Nepal. She remained a key player in the Super Six stage, picking up 1/10 against the West Indies and 2/18 against Sri Lanka.
Kate Pelle
A key figure in Australia’s batting lineup, Pelle had a solid run in the inaugural U19 World Cup (2023), scoring 134 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 127.61, with a top score of 51. However, she has struggled for form in this edition, managing 29 against Scotland, 16 against Bangladesh, 3 against Nepal, 11 against the West Indies, and just 1 against Sri Lanka. If Australia wants to make it to the final, they will need a big performance from her—and she is more than capable of delivering.
Pitch:
The Bayuemas Oval presents a competitive surface that offers assistance to both pacers and spinners. The average score hovers around 120, making it a challenging track for batters who will need to focus on technique and shot selection. Expect bowlers to play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Weather:
Cricket fans can expect a cloudy day with scattered showers. With temperatures around 32°C and 73% humidity, rain interruptions are possible, but a result is likely.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Kate Pelle, Caoimhe Bray, Eleanor Larosa, Hasrat Gill, Lucy Hamilton, Tegan Williamson, Jemma Botha, Simoné Lourens, Kayla Reyneke, Seshnie Naidu, Mona-Lisa Legodi
Match details:
Date: January 31, 2025
Time: 08:00 AM IST
Venue: Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
Live Streaming: Watch live on Hotstar in India.
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