South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt plays a shot past Australia’s Beth Mooney during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match at Old Trafford on June 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo/Getty Images)

Australia kicked off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 65-run win over South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday, courtesy a quick half-century from Phoebe Litchfield and a disciplined bowling performance led by Georgia Wareham.After being asked to bat, Australia recovered from early setbacks to post 172/8 in 20 overs. In reply, South Africa was all out for 107 runs in 16.4 overs, with captain Laura Wolvaardt scoring the top score of 44 runs.Australia’s innings got off to a difficult start when Georgia Woll was dismissed for a duck by Marizanne Kapp in the very first over. Beth Mooney also struggled and fell for seven runs, putting Australia under pressure.Lichfield then changed the pace. He hit a four on his first ball and attacked from the start, helping Australia reach 52/2 at the end of the powerplay. The left-handed batsman completed his half-century in just 23 balls and eventually scored 51 runs in 24 balls, which included nine fours and a six.South Africa hit back when Ashley Gardner was dismissed for one, leaving Australia at 57/4. However, Georgia Wareham and Ellyse Perry took over the innings, adding 58 runs for the fifth wicket. Wareham scored 32 runs from 22 balls with six fours before Nadine de Klerk ended the partnership.Perry scored 36 off 26 balls in the latter stages, while Annabel Sutherland made 21 off 14 balls to take Australia past 170.South African bowlers distributed wickets. Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets each, while captain Laura Wolvaardt impressed in the field with three catches.Chasing 173, South Africa had Sune Luus out LBW to Sophie Molineux in the first over, before Kim Garth bowled Annery Dirksen in the next over, reducing their score to 7/2.Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk took over the innings with a partnership of 41 runs. De Klerk scored 25 before Wareham broke the partnership soon after the powerplay.Marizanne Kapp hit back briefly with 12, but her stay was ended due to a foul between the wickets. Wolvaardt held one end and scored 44 runs from 39 balls, but his dismissal at Wareham ended South Africa’s hopes.Alana King then dismissed Sinalo Jafta and Kayla Reineke in quick succession, while Ashley Gardner dismissed Shabnim Ismail. Wareham ended the inning by dismissing Chloe Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba.Wareham finished with 3/13, while Molineux and King took two wickets each, giving Australia a comfortable win and a strong start to their campaign.