Australia has been knocked out of the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, defeated by three runs in a thrilling semi-final against England on Friday evening.
England held their nerve at Potchefstroom’s Senwes Park, bowling out Australia for 96 to book their place in Sunday’s final against India.
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After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England was in trouble at 7-45 following an early collapse, with Melbourne Renegades spinner Ella Hayward (3-25 from four overs) rolling through the middle order.
Alexa Stonehouse (25 off 33 balls) and Josie Groves (15 off 20 balls) put together a crucial 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket to revive the innings before Australian seamer Maggie Clark (3-15 from 3.5 overs) cleaned up the tail, with England all out for 99.
Clark, who is yet to celebrate her 16th birthday, is currently the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 12 scalps at 6.25.
Australia stumbled early in the run chase as both openers departed within the first couple of overs before Claire Moore (20 off 22 balls) and Hayward (16 off 22 balls) steadied the ship, combining for a 30-run partnership.
But Hayward’s dismissal sparked a horror collapse of 6-43, with England leg-spinner Hannah Baker (3-10 from four overs) bamboozling Australia’s middle order.
In another twist, Ella Wilson and Milly Illingworth mustered 19 runs for the ninth wicket before, with Australia four runs short of the target, a catastrophic run out sent the latter back to the sheds.
England captain Grace Scrivens got the job done in the 19th over, trapping Clark on the front pad to secure a dramatic victory.
Baker was declared Player of the Match for her enchanting spell, while Scrivens finished with figures of 2-8 from 3.4 economical overs.
The Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final between India and England gets underway at Senwes Park on Sunday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 10.45pm AEDT.