Australia and South Africa women will kick off their Women's T20I World Cup 2026 campaign by facing each other in the third match of the tournament on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. Australia will be led by Sophie Molineux, who recently returned to action after missing Australia's recent tour of West Indies due to a back issue. This will be Sophie Molineux's first-ever T20I World Cup as a captain.
Meanwhile, Australia head into the tournament with a quality line-up being boosted by the availability of Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield and formidable all-rounder Ellyse Perry. In their recent T20 assignment, Australia endured a 1-2 series defeat against India on home soil. However, they would aim to put the disappointment behind and have a powerful start. Notably, Australia have never played a T20I at Old Trafford, and their last appearance in an international match at this venue was in 1976.
On the other hand, South Africa will welcome their highly talented pacer Shabnim Ismail to the side for the first time since 2023. The legendary figure came out of international retirement to bolster the side's pace arsenal. The Proteas also boast a star-studded line-up, with skilled players Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kap and captain Laura Wolvaardt featuring in the side. South Africa are quite pumped up, having beaten India in a five-match T20I series, winning it 4-1 on home soil.
Head-to-head
Matches - 22
AUS-W won - 14
SA-W won - 7
Australia possible XI: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Megan Schutt
South Africa possible XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka