South Africa women’s side delivered a performance when it really mattered to stun 2014 runners-up New Zealand and set up an Indoor Cricket World Cup final with defending champions Australia.
The teams were meeting for the third time this week after New Zealand came out on top on both occasions with 70-66 and 64-57 victories.
But South Africa timed their revenge to such perfection with Nadine Moodley’s 23 and Megan Seale’s three wickets sealing a 80-74 triumph in the Preliminary Final at Dubai’s InSportz Club.
Nadine Moodley hit a crucial knock for South Africa.
With the competition following the IPL knockout format, the South Africans were celebrating success for the second time yesterday after eliminating England in their semi-final. For New Zealand, they were unable to take advantage of their second opportunity to make the showpiece final after losing to Australia 97-56 in their Eliminator.
It will be the sixth time that South Africa have reached the final and will have to do something they have never done before on this stage and that’s to beat the Australians, who have won each of the eight editions.
“It’s a sigh of relief and the batting finally came through for us so to describe how we’re feeling right now is simply impossible,” said South Africa skipper Hayleigh Wheeler.
“The final is a big challenge ahead,” she said. “We will get a good rest tonight and bring out A game and hope we can pull it off. Australia are the defending champions and no one can dispute that. Their batting and bowling is exceptional and bowling and we’ll do what we can.”
That's what it means to South Africa women's side. Stun New Zealand in Eliminator. Face Australia tomorrow in the final @Sport360 pic.twitter.com/oG0uEfFsE4
— Denzil M Pinto (@denz_360) September 22, 2017
In the men’s competition, Jesse Ryder’s shot of winning the Indoor World Cup is still alive although they will have to overcome Australia today, who are searching for their 10th consecutive title.
The Australians will be buoyed they have beaten their rivals twice this week including yesterday’s 73-19 victory in the semi-final. But New Zealand, six-time runners-up, can gain revenge after beating South Africa 82-72. Keiran Butler top-scored with 16 runs, while also taking one wicket for the Kiwis.
For triumphant captain Victor Davies, he was delighted to get through the two tests but feels all the pressure will be on the defending champions today.
“Happy with the result and got a lot of work to do for the game,” said the 27-year-old. “We got one chance to become world champions and we’ll try to tick all the boxes and stick to our plans.
“Without a doubt, the final is a big one. But it’s theirs to lose. We have got nothing to lose. We have come all the way to win the World Cup and we will do everything we can to bring that home.”
Meanwhile in the men’s event, England set up a Plate final with India after beating hosts UAE 118-40. Earlier, in the Preliminary, India booked their place in the final after beating UAE 73-57.
