Australia defeats South Africa by eight wickets in first T20

Australia has eased to victory in its series-opening T20 conflict with South Africa because of some batting class from captain Alyssa Healy.

The wicketkeeper-batter was doubtful for the conflict at Manuka Oval because of an sickness however she proved her health after which carved a match-winning 46 because the hosts sealed victory with 5 balls and eight wickets to spare.

A tidy half-century from South African opener Tazmin Brits helped her aspect put up 6-147 however it proved effectively in need of a aggressive complete in opposition to the dominant Australians.

Star batter Beth Mooney cashed in late and completed with an unbeaten 72 to proceed her sturdy latest kind for the nationwide crew.

Healy appeared in sensible contact from the second she took to the crease and shortly broke the again of the chase, smacking two sixes and 6 fours in her 46 off 28 balls.

An audacious flick over mid-wicket to cart South African bowler Marizanne Kapp for 4 and an enormous six again over Nonkululeko Mlaba’s head have been eye-catching.

The partnership between the ICC’s two top-ranked batters added 65 runs, Mooney taking part in some masterful strokes to find 11 fours and an enormous six that accomplished the end result.

By the point Healy fell chipping Nadine de Klerk to long-on, Australia was just about residence, with Mooney and Tahlia McGrath (24) steering it to victory within the ultimate over, whereas by no means being in any hazard of dropping.

It was not the beginning the Proteas have been searching for of their multi-format sequence with Australia, with the perimeters slated for 3 T20s, three ODIs and a Take a look at match in the course of the subsequent month.

Brits acquired slowed down early and will hardly discover a run however got here to life within the center levels of South Africa’s innings after Grace Harris’s foot touched the boundary rope whereas making an attempt to finish a catch.

She took that second probability and ran with it, hitting two sixes and 6 fours whereas carrying her bat by way of the innings because the spine of South Africa’s batting.

Sune Luus (19) labored effectively with Brits and hit Georgia Wareham for consecutive fours by way of cow-corner. Nevertheless, she fell on the very subsequent ball, Healy taking a artful leg-side catch behind the stumps.

Australian tempo bowler Darcie Brown picked up two essential early scalps in taking 2-20, whereas Ellyse Perry additionally helped restrict the South African scoring with 2-13 off her three overs.

Canberra will host the second T20 on Sunday morning earlier than the sequence shifts to Hobart on Tuesday.

AAP