In the 15th over of South Africa’s innings in the first semi-final at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, Annabel Sutherland dismissed Laura Wolvaardt for 42, with Tahlia McGrath taking the catch at mid-off. So subdued was stand-in captain McGrath’s reaction that it initially appeared that the umpire had called a no-ball. A lacklustre high five with Sutherland confirmed Wolvaardt was indeed out, but McGrath knew that it was simply too little, too late.
It was a moment that encapsulated the match, with disappointment and frustration written all over the faces of the Australians time and again as they tried to find a foothold with which to get themselves out of trouble. It was a performance we are unaccustomed to seeing from the three-time reigning champions, often touted as one of the world’s most dominant sporting teams.
