‘Flu game’: Healy overcomes illness and stars with the bat as Australia beats South Africa to start multi-format series

The Australian captain was in doubt for the opening T20 international in Canberra but showed no signs of the bug that hampered her preparations, smashing a majestic 46 off 28 as the hosts chased down South Africa’s 6-147 with five balls to spare.

Healy and Beth Mooney shared a 72-run partnership for the opening stand, with the skipper smashing six fours and two sixes having earlier claimed a brilliant catch down the leg side which she reviewed to give Georgia Wareham her 50th T20 international wicket.

Mooney finished unbeaten on 72 as the Aussies continued their unbeaten record against South Africa with eight wickets in hand which was the perfect way to start their preparations for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.

AMAZING GRACE

Grace Harris has done some absurd things on a cricket field, but her elite honesty ended up costing her what would have been the catch of 2024 so far.

Known for bludgeoning bowlers over the rope, it was only her left foot that prevented her from claiming a screamer when she leapt high and pulled in a stunning one-handed grab, only to slightly overbalance and graze the boundary.

She immediately told the umpires it was not out but replays didn’t show any conclusive contact with the rope, with Tazmin Brits making the most of her reprieve on seven to finish unbeaten on 59.

LONG WAY TO GO

They may have hit their highest T20 score against Australia, but South Africa still has a long way to go if they want to match it with the best team in the world.

A year after losing to the Aussies in the World Cup final at home, the tourists showed some promising signs with the bat with six members of their top seven getting starts, but they need more than that.

They didn’t really threaten with the ball and they have work to do in the field after Ayabonga Khaka dropped an absolute sitter when Mooney was on 42 which proved costly as the veteran opener smashed her for six to seal the win in the final over.

They have plenty of chances to bounce back with the second of three T20s on Sunday before the series shifts to the 50-over format and then a one-off Test in Perth.

Originally published as ‘Flu game’: Healy overcomes illness and stars with the bat as Australia beats South Africa to start multi-format series