Cricket

Australia and South Africa Set for T20 World Cup Semifinal ShowdownDubai, 6pm local timeAustralia and South Africa will face off in a highly anticipated semifinal clash at the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Both teams have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, with Australia unbeaten and South Africa boasting a 3-1 record.Australia's Unbeaten RunAustralia has been the dominant force in the tournament, winning all four of their group matches. They overcame a spirited challenge from India in their last group game, securing a nine-run victory. Captain Alyssa Healy, who missed the India match due to a foot injury, is expected to return for the semifinal.South Africa's ResurgenceSouth Africa has also impressed, winning three of their four group matches. Their only defeat came against England, but they bounced back with victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand. They will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 T20 World Cup final.Key Players to WatchMegan Schutt has been a standout performer for Australia, with her miserly spells proving crucial in all four of their wins. Tazmin Brits has been equally impressive for South Africa, providing solid starts at the top of the order.Venue and ConditionsThe semifinal will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where Australia has played just one match so far. The average first-innings score at the venue is 126, suggesting that a low-scoring affair could be on the cards.Head-to-Head RecordSouth Africa has a poor record against Australia in T20Is, having won just one of their 10 previous encounters. However, they will be hoping to break that trend and reach the final for the second time in a row.

Tazmin Brits, South Africa's opening batter, is embarking on a T20 World Cup journey that transcends the game itself. She plays for her mother, Zeldine, who is battling breast cancer. Despite her mother's absence due to treatment, Brits draws strength from her resilience.Brits' journey has been marked by adversity. She lost her father to Covid-19 in 2021 and suffered a life-threatening car accident in 2011. After contemplating suicide, she found solace in sports, returning to javelin and eventually switching to cricket.Her determination paid off as she made the national team and has become a mainstay at the top of the order. In the past year, she has scored her first and second ODI centuries, five of her 12 T20I fifties, and a maiden domestic T20 hundred.Brits attributes her success to her focus on strike rate, recognizing the need to improve for opportunities in major leagues. She also dreams of competing in the Olympics, with cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Beyond her personal goals, Brits is driven by the desire to win a World Cup for South Africa. She believes it would be a transformative moment for the nation. As a symbol of her commitment, she plans to get a World Cup trophy tattoo if they win.October, the month of the T20 World Cup, also marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Brits will honor her mother's fight by dedicating her performances to her.

South Africa's women's cricket team secured a thrilling ten-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of their three-game T20I series in Multan. Despite a shaky start, the Proteas managed to post a competitive total of 132 for 4, thanks to a crucial half-century from Tazmin Brits and a solid partnership with Sune Luus.Pakistan's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost five wickets for just 47 runs. However, a resilient partnership between Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana brought them back into contention. The duo put on an unbroken 75-run stand, but it ultimately proved insufficient as South Africa held on for a narrow victory.South Africa's innings was anchored by Brits, who scored 56 not out off 49 deliveries. Luus contributed 27 off 27 balls, while Chloe Tryon provided a late cameo with 15 not out off 7. Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain the Proteas, with Sadia Iqbal being the pick of the bunch with figures of 3-34.Pakistan's chase was hampered by a series of early wickets. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka bowled superbly, taking two wickets each. Eighteen-year-old Seshnie Naidu made a memorable debut, taking a stunning catch and dismissing Sadaf Shamas with her second ball.Riaz and Sana played with great determination, but their efforts were not enough to secure victory. Riaz finished on 52 not out off 40 balls, while Sana scored 37 not out off 33. South Africa's fielding was sloppy at times, with three catches being dropped, but they managed to hold on for a hard-fought win.The victory gives South Africa an early advantage in the series. The second match will be played on May 26, followed by the third and final match on May 28.

South Africa's women's cricket team kicked off their tour of India with a resounding 12-run victory in the opening T20I in Chennai on Friday. The Proteas posted a formidable total of 189 for four, thanks to half-centuries from Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp. India's bowlers struggled to contain the South African batters, while their fielding was also below par.Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt provided a solid foundation for South Africa's innings, putting on a 50-run partnership in 43 balls. Brits was particularly impressive, scoring 81 off 56 balls with 10 fours and three sixes. Kapp also played a significant role, contributing 57 off 33 balls.India's poor fielding allowed South Africa to post their highest total in T20Is against India. Wolvaardt, Kapp, and Brits were all dropped at various stages of the innings. The lack of bounce on the pitch also allowed the South African batters to utilize sweep shots effectively.In response, India's openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got off to a strong start, putting on a 56-run stand in just 32 balls. However, Verma fell to Ayabonga Khaka in the sixth over, and Mandhana was dismissed by Chloe Tryon in the 10th over.Dayalan Hemalatha and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then put on a 31-run partnership, but Hemalatha was dismissed by Nadine de Klerk in the following over. Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then took the attacking route, putting up a 50-run stand in 38 deliveries.Rodrigues brought up her 11th T20I half-century in just 29 deliveries, but India needed 21 runs off the final six balls. Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled a tight over, conceding only eight runs to seal the victory for South Africa.India's bowlers Pooja and Radha did manage to take two wickets each, but their efforts were overshadowed by their team's fielding lapses and the resilient batting display by South Africa.