Proteas Women should qualify for T20 World Cup semis but net run rate could still derail their efforts

South Africa's Anneke Bosch celebrates the wicket of Scotland's Abtaha Maqsood Scotland Women v South Africa Women, ICC Women's T20 World Cup,Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, UAE - 09 Oct 2024.(Photo by Sanjay Singh/Shutterstock)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

14 Oct 2024

South Africa have only suffered one defeat at the T20 Women’s World Cup but could still be sent home if West Indies beat England by a specific margin tomorrow.

The Proteas Women must believe they have done enough to secure a spot in the T20 Women’s World Cup semifinals. They have won three of their four group stage matches, with their only defeat coming in a narrow loss to England.

Their victories against West Indies, Scotland and Bangladesh all came without any hiccups, too.

They sit in second place in Group B with six points, tied with table toppers England. West Indies are just behind South Africa on four points. England and West Indies, have played one match fewer, however, and meet tomorrow in what is essentially a quarterfinal clash with the winner guaranteed spot in the semifinals.

South Africa (1.38) have the worst Net Run Rate (NRR) of the three teams and despite their semifinals chances sitting pretty, they could still be sent home if one of a few specific scenarios play out at the Dubai International Stadium.

If West Indies (1.71) win by scoring anything more than 201, England (1.72) could qualify if they lose by one run. England could also lose by Super Over and still qualify if West Indies score in excess of 193 in their regulation 20 overs.

South Africa's Anneke Bosch celebrates the wicket of Scotland's Abtaha Maqsood at Dubai International Stadium on 9 October 2024. (Photo: Sanjay Singh / Shutterstock)

These scenarios are unlikely to happen, especially given the low scores due to the slow pitch in Sharjah, but stranger things have happened on a cricket field.

The Proteas didn’t help their cause in their victory over Bangladesh on Saturday, taking 17.2 overs to chase 107. The win dropped their NRR from 1.5 to 1.38.

“From now on, we just have to wait for the net run rate with England and West Indies to play and see what happens from there,” said Proteas opener Tazmin Brits, who scored 42 runs off 41 balls against Bangladesh to go to the top of the run-scoring charts at the T20 Women’s World Cup.

“We’re happy we won the game at the end of the day, that was our main goal. Now we have to sit and watch, but you never know... it will plan out the way it should be.”

The Proteas men’s team suffered a similar fate at the T20 World Cup in 2021 in the United Arab Emirates when they failed to chase a target of 85 fast enough against Bangladesh, affecting their NRR, which meant they failed to reach the semi-finals despite winning three of their four group stage matches.

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If things play out favourably and expectedly for South Africa tomorrow, they will take on Australia in the first semifinal on Thursday in what will be a rematch of last year’s T20 World Cup final hosted in South Africa.

But the fact that they’re scrambling for a spot despite dominating in three of their four matches is due to their own doing. With the bat, despite occasional trying wickets, a lack of initial impetus has stunted their ability to put teams to the sword.

South Africa beat West Indies by 10 wickets in their opening match, but took 17.5 overs to chase 119. A really commanding finish with the willow, even if a few wickets had to fall, would have seen South Africa’s NRR soar and West Indies struggle to catch up to the point they have now.

“I might look like I’m in form, and I’m still trying not to put myself down,” Brits said, having scored 155 runs at an average of over 50, but with a strike rate of only 105.44.

“I’m trying to talk better to myself because I’m very strict and I’ve been told a few times I need to be a bit more loving and gentle with myself — but I want to do good for the team, especially being an opening batter.

“Especially in the Powerplays, I don’t want my strike rate to be 100 or less. I want to get it to the 140s because when we make 45 or 60 in a powerplay, that sets up the whole entire game.

“I’m happy I’m making runs and I’m happy I’m contributing towards the team, but I don’t think I’ll ever be happy until I get… that strike rate up.”

First drop Anneke Bosch has also failed to bat at a strike rate of more than 100 in all three of her innings at the World Cup so far.

Nonetheless, the team is pulling together at this crucial juncture of the tournament.

“The most important thing is to stay close to each other and stay together as a unit,” Brits said. “The golden oldies – and I am probably one of them – will probably relax. We’ll just make sure we rest and get ready as if we are going to go to that semifinal.

“There’s no point having negative thoughts about it. And I think we might also have a team activity and then we’ll probably watch that game as well, hopefully in the team room. I won’t say who we’ll be supporting.” DM

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