MANCHESTER: Georgia Wareham delivered with bat and ball to power Australia to a 65-run win over South Africa in the third match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Opting to bat first at the Old Trafford Ground, Australia racked up 172-8 in 20 overs, largely due to Phoebe Litchfield’s quick-fire half-century.
Australia were in trouble with four down for 61 after the powerplay, despite Litchfield’s counter-attacking half-century. Litchfield made 50 off 24, striking nine fours and six before getting dismissed after the fielding restrictions were lifted.
It was Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham, who put the innings back on track with a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Perry scored 36 off 26, hitting four boundaries. Wareham hit six fours in her 32 off 22 deliveries.
Annabel Sutherland provided the innings with a late flourish, ensuring her side reached a strong total. She made 21 from 14 balls.
Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!
For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Nadine de Klerk picked up two wickets each.
In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 107 inside 17 overs, thanks to a Georgia Wareham three-wicket haul.
The Proteas were in dire straits at the start of their innings with 7-2 in 1.5 overs.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk launched a swift recovery, adding 41 for the third wicket partnership. Wolvaardt made 44 off 39 balls while De Klerk made 25 off 23.
Wareham broke the threatening stand in the seventh over, cleaning up De Klerk.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Despite the wicket, Wolvaardt held the innings, stitching another brief 34-run partnership with Marizanne Kapp, who made only 12.
Both batters’ dismissals in quick succession sparked a collapse that South Africa could never recover from. As a result, South Africa, 96-5 to 107 all out.
Earlier, Scotland prevailed over Ireland by 40 runs at the same venue.
Scotland set Ireland 162 to win in 20 overs, with Kathryn Bryce top-scoring with a 60 off 39 balls. Bryce hit six boundaries and a maximum in her knock. She was ably supported by Sarah Bryce, who made 49 off 35 deliveries.
Ava Canning scalped three wickets for Ireland in her quota of four overs.
In reply, Ireland were bundled out for 121 in 19.1 overs. Orla Prendergast remained the highest scorer for them with 33 off 23 balls.
For Scotland, Katherine Fraser and Kirstie Gordon shared six wickets between them.
READ: Mohsin Naqvi links central contracts to domestic cricket participation
