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The Australian Women's Cricket Team, six-time world champions, suffered a disappointing defeat in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, falling to South Africa. This marked only the second time in nine editions of the tournament that Australia failed to reach the final. Captain Tahlia McGrath, filling in for the injured Alyssa Healy, acknowledged that her team was not at their best during the match. She attributed the loss to a lack of focus and praised South Africa's strong performance, stating that they were 'spot on' throughout the game.
Despite a competitive total of 134/5 in their allotted 20 overs, Australia's bowlers were unable to contain South Africa's strong batting lineup. The South Africans chased down the target with eight wickets in hand, finishing the match in just 17 overs. While McGrath highlighted that their batting performance could have been better, she recognized that the South African team made the wicket appear favorable for batting. She emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and execution in tournament play, stating that 'you can't afford to be off the mark at all.'
Despite the loss, McGrath highlighted the positive aspects of the tournament for Australia. She acknowledged the team's ongoing transition phase following the retirement of key players and commended the efforts of several players who stepped up to fill new roles. She expressed pride in the contributions of various players, noting that 'there was barely a game where someone dominated' and that different players emerged as leaders in different matches. McGrath emphasized the importance of team unity and the positive impact of young players and those stepping into unfamiliar positions. She concluded by stating that the semi-final loss was a setback, but that the team would learn from it and continue to strive for success in the future.