Litchfield 50 hands Australia advantage over Proteas

Phoebe Litchfield top-scored to help Australia Women to 172-8 against South Africa Women in ther ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Saturday.

Litchfield struck nine boundaries and one six from just 24 balls after Beth Mooney (7) and Georgia Voll (0) struggled upfront after captain Sophie Molineux had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Voll was caught by Kayla Reyneke at mid-wicket from the bowling of Marizanne Kapp (4-0-29-1) while Mooney edged Shabnim Ismail (3-0-33-1) to Sonala Jafta behind the stumps.

Litchfield and Ellyse Perry (36) restored order to the innings with a third-wicket stand of 37 before Ayabonga Khaka (3-0-33-2) stepped in.

Khaka had Litchfield brilliantly caught by Laura Wolvaardt at mid-wicket before Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-0-22-2) had Gardner caught in the covers, also by Wolvaardt, for just a single.

Perry was cleaned up by Mlaba after striking four boundaries but then Georgia Wareham (32) and Annabel Sutherland (21) gave the Australians the advantage.

The pair added a valuable 38 for the seventh wicket, but Nadine de Klerk (4-0-35-2) and Khaka removed the pair with De Klerk trapping Alana King in front for four.

The Proteas, chasing 173 for victory in a tough group that also includes India, will be hoping to do better than the 20 per cent win-rate they have when chasing a target of between 160 and 180 with Wolvaardt and fellow opener Sune Luus needing to lay the foundation needed for a tricky chase.

Australia Women: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (capt), Kim Garth, Alana King.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.