Lanning, Perry, Gardner and co. share their thoughts after triumph; Sune Luus says tournament a watershed moment for women's sports in SA
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On Sunday, Australia lifted their sixth T20 World Cup after beating South Africa in Cape Town. Here's what their players had to say after the win.
Meg Lanning: "It's a pretty special effort from the group. All teams came hard at us - we knew that was going to happen. But we performed well throughout the tournament, so super proud. We felt like it was a good score, but we had to bowl well. The wicket wasn't as good as it was in the semi-final. We felt confident if we could hit the right lengths and target the stumps. We had to put pressure on South Africa.
"We knew it would be an amazing atmosphere, which it was. It was a great event. It was about keeping things simple when the pressure is on, and getting things done. Nice to finish off with a win with this group. It's a special group. Not just the players, but also the support staff that put in a lot of work behind the scene, and allow us to go out and play our cricket."
Ashleigh Gardner: "We have been longing for this moment since the last World Cup. We played some fantastic cricket throughout the tournament. Today just showed that we were not in winning positions throughout the game, but we scrapped and we fought; super proud of this group. [Best personal contribution in the tournament] Probably the semi-final. My role within the team with both bat and ball is trying to change the game with whatever I can do. For me, it was with the bat in that game, and then come back and bowl.
"Personal accolades are great, but what I am most excited about is that we have won this tournament. We are World Cup champions. I probably bowled more in games, and that was in WBBL as well. I played a different role. I have bowled more and it has translated in internationals as well. Meg has the trust and confidence in me. She has been fantastic. Just putting my team in winning positions as much as I can. Words cannot describe how proud I am. We talk about evolving as individuals, and growing the game and having the impact globally. There is so much fun playing cricket for your country. Being a part of this team is fantastic. This phase is something I am going to be proud of later in life."
Beth Mooney: "It's a very special win. Incredible being in South Africa and playing in front of an outstanding crowd like this one was special. I am glad I can fake it. I was not calm [in the middle] and the crowd was impressive and not many cheering for us, unfortunately. The girls will tell you later. The crowd were very impressive. It was a really tough wicket and I was a little too hard on myself in the middle. I walked off thinking we hadn't gotten on the board.
"Never judge a wicket till both the teams had batted and it was bloody tough out there and we did well. I was disappointed with my output in the first couple of games. But the belief of the support staff helped me turn it around. It was unbelievable. It was just a matter of time for me. We'll see what Cape Town has in store for us [to celebrate]. But it's nice to sit with the group and celebrate. This is a very special group and an amazing squad."
Ellyse Perry: "Amazing game. Huge thank you to the crowd for creating such an incredible atmosphere. I know it didn't quite go the way they were hoping. But just to have the opportunity stand and be a part of this; right from the start - the national anthem. I knew it would be a great day. It was up and down in our bowling innings. [Laura] Wolvaardt batted exceptionally well and her partnership with Chloe [Tryon] put them in the hunt.
"Felt like they were building the momentum. It was tense till we broke that partnership. It was nice to finish the way we did. I think it is nice to contribute in the game [when it comes to fielding]. It is a thing you do as a full team and it is about effort than skill."
Grace Harris: "You definitely won't be able to wipe the smile off my face tonight, I'm just so happy about how we played throughout the tournament. I thought 156 it could be bit challenging, considering how the other two games were 170-plus score plus and they were close semi-finals. But to get the win against South Africa in front of the packed Newlands, who weren't cheering for us, which is fair enough, this is outstanding and I love my experience here.
"Lanning just said to back my skills and we needed a little bit of boost in the run rate to get to the 160 total, so I got the promotion up the order. Walking out to bat is something I look forward to in a game, I just loved it."
Jess Jonassen: "You can't go into a World Cup or a final not thinking you are going to lift the trophy. To South Africa's credit, they took it right to the end, and the crowd was amazing. Even though they weren't going for us, it was an incredible atmosphere. So it was special to play in front of [them].
"Relishing the opportunity to be back out here to represent my country. Have my parents and partner in the crowd, which is extra special."
Sune Luus: "If you told me before the game that Australia were getting 156, I would have taken it. We lost wickets at crucial times, we knew they had a brilliant bowling attack as well. We lost at the crucial time but we can still be proud of the way we played in the tournament.
"I don't think women's cricket is going backwards at the moment. I hope there is a lot of development in this front in the country. I hope so many girls want to pick up a bat and ball, so the schools have to get girls' cricket. They got to be starting club cricket as well with more girls knocking on the door.
"Firstly, you guys (Australia) are very annoying. But, congratulations to Meg and her team. You guys have been inspirational in world cricket for a long time and a lot of the players look up to you guys and you showed your class again. I think my wish is just to keep on growing. We have set the platform today. We can't go backwards. The pressure is on women's sports in his country, on the minister of sports, CSA and everyone to keep growing women's sport in this country, whether it is financially or the pipeline, just need to keep growing and pushing."
Laura Wolvaardt: "It's been such an incredible tournament to be part of. Australia are always going to be a tough side to beat in the final.
"We didn't get off to a great start and was always tough to catch up towards the end. You could hear every single cheer. It's something I've never experienced - a crowd like this. I could do this every day. Very cool experience."
