Australia captain on song in bowling return against Proteas
Impressive performances from Sophie Molineux and Shabnim Ismail as Australia and South Africa prepare for the T20 World Cup.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux made a successful return from injury in an unofficial warm-up fixture against South Africa ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Molineux has been battling a back concern in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup that commences on June 12, but the Australia skipper looked in good touch as she took two wickets in the side's narrow seven-run loss to South Africa at Arundel Castle in England.
It was the first time Molineux has bowled at any level since the end of February and the left-armer showed promising signs as she removed the dangerous Sune Luus with her very first delivery, before dismissing Dane van Niekerk two balls later to finish with impressive figures of 2/17 from three economical overs.
Molineux gets the big wicket of Mandhana | CWC25
Australia get a breakthrough as Sophie Molineux strikes to send back Smriti Mandhana in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash.
While the Aussies failed to chase down South Africa's total of 163/7, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath - who scored 30 in Australia's score of 156 - was thrilled to see Molineux back at the bowling crease on the eve of the T20 World Cup.
"First of all, it's nice to have her bowling," McGrath said of Molineux's return.
"Not bowling in (Australia's recent white-ball series in) the West Indies, it was awesome to see her with ball in hand as she takes wickets for fun.
"She's a game changer and she can bowl in any phase. She proved that again today. I think she took a wicket with her first ball.
"She gets all the tough overs and doesn't really get the credit she deserves. She always puts her hand up and always seems to get the job done."
Sophie Molineux provides key breakthroughs to Australia | POTM Highlights | WT20WC 2024
Perhaps the most eye-catching performance from the match came from experienced South Africa speedster Shabnim Ismail, who collected figures of 4/39 from her four overs ahead of her return to international cricket.
Ismail caused a shock last month when she reversed her retirement decision and was named in the Proteas' squad for the T20 World Cup and the right-armer looked close to her best as she removed a quartet of Australia batters - including Ash Gardner and Grace Harris - during a superb spell of fast bowling.
Best of Shabnim Ismail | Women's T20WC 2023
Shabnim Ismail played a key role in South Africa's dream run at home in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023!
The Proteas were also boosted by an 88-run partnership between star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp (49) and youngster Kayla Reyneke (45) that helped push their total through the middle overs, with Australia unable to gather much momentum in reply despite a quickfire 40 from left-hander Beth Mooney at the top of the order.
"It was a pretty high-quality game and it was really close," McGrath added.
"It came down to the last over and some individual brilliance from both teams.
"I thought the partnership between Kapp and Reyneke, we were on top and that swung the momentum back to them and sort of proved to be the difference in the end.
"They batted really well. And then we showed glimpses, but just not able to get the job done today."
The teams will meet again at Arundel Castle on another two occasions, before the warm-up fixtures for the T20 World Cup commence on June 6.
Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Nierkerk