Women's T20 World Cup 2026: AUS W vs SA W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more

The Australian juggernaut got its campaign off to a start with a dominant 65-run win over 2024 finalists South Africa in Match 3 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester. Electing to bat after winning the toss, Australia was dented early with Marizane Kapp removing opener Georgia Voll and the returning veteran Shabnim Ismail getting rid of Beth Mooney. Phoebe Litchfield steadied the ship with a 24-ball 50, an innings of elegant strokeplay. Ellyse Perry, scoring 36, and Georgia Wareham, who scored 32, stitched a 58-run stand, and vital runs from Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey took the record-champions to a competitive total of 172 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Australia started well with the ball as skipper Sophie Molineux trapped Sune Luus LBW in the first over. Seamer Kim Garth removed Annerie Dercksen, leaving South Africa at 7 for 2 in the second over. Nadine de Klerk scored a vital 25 but fell to Georgia Wareham. Kapp was run out off Ashleigh Gardner's bowling, which brought about a collapse from 84 for 4. Molineux then removed her counterpart, Laura Wolvaardt, for 44 with the score at 96 for 5. South Africa were bowled out for 107, losing their next five wickets for just 11 runs. Wareham was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 13.

PULLED & MAXIMUM RESULT! 💥After a couple of quick wickets, #PhoebeLitchfield led Australia's recovery with a blistering counter-attack, bringing up a rapid half-century! 🔥 👏ICC Women's #T20WorldCup 2026 | #AUSvSA | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/6hoZBRqv71

Phoebe Litchfield's brilliant 24-ball 50 set the tone for the Australian innings. Coming in at number 3, having lost opener Georgia Voll in the first over, the southpaw counter-attacked against the experienced duo of Marizane Kapp and Shabnim Ismail. Her innings was laced with nine fours and a six, as she reached her half-century off just 23 balls. Despite falling right after the powerplay, her innings provided the platform for Australia despite losing early wickets in the powerplay.

A statement win! 🇦🇺All-round dominance & Australia start their #T20WorldCup with a win against South Africa! 👏UP NEXT on ICC Women's #T20WorldCup 2026 | #WIvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/XT6KymhBr3

Georgia Wareham's three-wicket haul was the best bowling performance of the match. The leg-spinner was into the action early, having the dangerous Nadine de Klerk bowled after the Proteas all-rounder looked to steady the ship with her batting prowess. She bowled with great control and guile, and added two more scalps to her figures to see off the 65-run win. She finished the game with figures of 3 for 13 from just 2.4 overs.

Georgia Wareham was named the Player of the Match for her all-round performance in the game. She scored a 22-ball 32, which proved to be vital runs after Australia's mini-collapse in the powerplay and subsequent recovery. The leg-spinner was also the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 13 in 2.4 overs.

Australia Women take on Bangladesh Women in their next game on June 17 at Headingley, while South Africa Women take on Pakistan Women at Edgbaston on the same day.