In
the final, Marizanne Kapp had her best performance of the season in her 100th
T20I, but it wasn't enough for the visitors.
South
Africa lost to Australia 162 for 7 (Kapp 75) at 163 for 5 (Mooney 82).
Australia
recovered from a shocking Twenty20 International defeat to South Africa,
winning a tight series decider behind a magnificent 82 from Beth Mooney, who
had battled illness earlier in the day and wasn't sure if she would play.
With
five wickets remaining and four balls remaining in Hobart, Australia overcame
the visitors' 162 for 7 thanks to the opener's 55-ball knock.
Before
succumbing in the 18th over, when her team needed 14 runs from 14 balls, Mooney
frequently lost partners. Ashleigh Gardner used her composure to use a boundary
to complete the victory.
Earlier,
in their 100th Twenty20 International, South Africa scored their highest T20I
total against Australia, led by a career-best 48-ball 75 from Marizanne Kapp.
After
defeating Australia in all formats for the first time on Sunday, South Africa
forced a decisive Twenty20 match to tie the score at one.
Mooney,
who finished with 11 fours and one six after hitting an undefeated 72 in the
first game, struck the ball cleanly from the start. Ellyse Perry, who was moved
up to number three, and fellow opener Alyssa Healy both failed to score.
After
being put to bat, Kapp assisted South Africa in rallying from a precarious 28
for 3 in the fifth over. The all-rounder
and Anneke Bosch, who provided good support with 21, shared an 80-run
partnership from just 57 balls.
Kapp
was dropped on 19 in the outfield, and her score eclipsed her previous best of
56. When Tahlia McGrath sneaked a slower
ball that struck the stumps in the 17th over, she was out.
Grace
Harris of Australia got things started right away, making two catches and
hitting Sune Luus directly.
Late
in the innings, Chloe Tryon contributed a crucial 26 from 16 balls before
spinner Georgia Wareham caught and bowled her in the 18th over.
With
two fours off the final three deliveries, Nadine de Klerk finished with an
undefeated 20 from 11 balls, demonstrating her own fierce late-inning swing.
With
1 for 25 from four overs, Wareham was Australia's most economical bowler;
Darcie Brown, who was rested from the previous game, took some flak for his
quick start (0 for 27 from two overs).
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