Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Meg Lanning banking on Australia’s ‘fighting ability’ to beat South Africa in final
Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Meg Lanning’s Australia are set to face Sune Luus’ South Africa in the final on Sunday at Newlands in Cape Town.
WT20 WC: Lanning banking on Australia’s ‘fighting ability’ to beat South Africa in final. Courtesy: AP
By India Today Sports Desk: Australia skipper Meg Lanning heaped praise on her team for ‘sticking together’ and not succumbing to pressure despite being put under immense pressure in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semi-final against India at Newlands in Cape Town.
When Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was going hammer and tongs, the Aussies looked short of ideas. But once Kaur got run out, the tables turned. Darcie Brown bowled brilliantly and brought her team right back into the contest.
In the end, Australia secured a five-run win and made their way through to the final where they will face Sune Luus’ South Africa on Sunday, February 26.
“Yeah, we spoke a little bit after the semi-final the other night and we were under the pump and India probably looked like winning for a lot of that game, but we found a way to win and that’s what this team is really good at is sticking together, we’ve got each other’s back,” Lanning was quoted as saying in the pre-match press conference.
Lanning also mentioned that staying calm under pressure is of prime importance to tasting success in high-voltage matches.
“And you know, whether it’s going well, or it’s not going well, I think we’re able to stay really calm and composed. And as I said, look after each other. And that’s an important thing that you need in big games,” she stated.
Australia have beaten South Africa in all six WT20Is thus far. However, Lanning refused to undermine their opponents ahead of the match at Newlands.
“And yeah, we haven’t had it all our own way over the past few years, and particularly at World Cups, and even in this World Cup here. So, we have some really great fighting ability within this team. And we’re going to need it again tomorrow to be able to beat South Africa because they’re going to bring the same energy,” Lanning added.
South Africa started their campaign with a defeat against Sri Lanka, but have made a decent comeback since then. The Aussies, on the other hand, have won five matches in a row and have been the standout team of the tournament thus far.
