A truly special innings: How Anneke Bosch blitzed Australia

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It takes something special to beat Australia’s all-conquering women’s national team.

But special is precisely what Anneke Bosch’s astonishing 74* was; blowing the six-time champions away in a 48-ball blitz that sent South Africa through to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

“My heart is racing. It was quite tough out there but I'm really glad we could get over the line and that I could finally contribute with some runs,” Bosch said, with a modesty that belied the extraordinary nature of her contribution.

“I just had to play what the conditions allowed and stick to what's in your mind.

“It means a lot. I can't really describe it, but we knew we were capable of it and we had a pretty good tournament so far coming into this game and we were quite confident.”

The South African openers had got off to a great start in their chase of 135 to win in Dubai, with Tazmin Brits setting the tone with her run-a-ball 15, only to see her stumps rearranged by the excellent Annabel Sutherland.

But with 110 runs still required against the most feared bowling attacking in the tournament, there was plenty of pressure on Bosch when she strode out to join captain Laura Wolvaardt in the middle.

Any nerves would have been settled when, in her second over out in the middle, Bosch creamed back-to-back fours off Sophie Molineux.

And she went forged a terrific partnership with her skipper, rotating the strike expertly and ensuring the Proteas stayed well ahead of the rate.

“Wolfie and Taz have been incredible for us for the last season, or year, or even throughout the tournament. That helps a lot when we do have a good foundation – when they are going well and I come in, there's kind of no pressure on me.

“Today was a bit different. But I think my mindset could still kind of stay the same, even though we lost an early wicket.”

WATCH: Wolvaardt-Bosch stand leads South Africa's chase | SF 1 | WT20WC 2024

Having worked with Wolvaardt to build a strong platform, Bosch used Georgia Wareham’s solitary over as the opportunity to step on the gas, slog-sweeping for a classy four before dispatching a huge six over the deep midwicket fence.

And the 31-year-old brought up her half-century in the next over, hitting two more boundaries and plundering ten runs from three Ash Gardner deliveries to settle any remaining South African nerves.

“Anneke played her role perfectly,” captain Wolvaardt said.

“I think she just needs to give us that sort of kick in the innings from over six to 12. And that's exactly what she did today.”

It was a cakewalk from thereon for the Proteas, with Bosch finishing the job with one more beautifully-timed boundary – her ninth of a stunning innings.

Bosch finished unbeaten on 74* from just 48 deliveries – the third-highest individual score against Australia at a Women’s T20 World Cup and the third-highest against any side in the tournament’s history in a successful run-chase.

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