Relentless streak ‘not boring for us’: Schutt

Megan Schutt has admitted her relief that Australia overcame a "scary" spell when it felt their T20 World Cup victory might just be slipping away – and was adamant that their relentless winning streak never feels boring.

Before her team went on to annex a sixth title in Cape Town on Sunday, South Africa's attacking 55-run fourth-wicket stand in their chase had put Australia "under the pump" in the final, reckoned Schutt.

But with the game threatening to swing the hosts' way at the death at Newlands, it was Schutt herself who speared in a momentum-changing full ball in the 17th over which got things back on track for the serial winners.

Image Id: DA746DC18CB44F3DAC22A49EE86F282B Image Caption: Schutt all smiles post-match // cricket.com.au

The delivery trapped opener Laura Wolvaardt lbw, breaking the half-centurion's stand with Chloe Tryon (25 off 23), and it led to South Africa eventually falling 19 runs short.

"She (Wolvaardt) was hitting them bloody nicely - and so was Chloe," reflected Schutt, who shares the Adelaide Strikers dressing room with Wolvaardt.

"So, it was honestly quite scary there towards the end.

"We were under the pump, don't get me wrong ... she probably tried to play me too square and that did her in, but she was hitting down the ground beautifully. Crucial wicket, but just lucky that it came off."

Schutt, who was part of the Australian side that botched a 148-run defence in the 2016 T20 World Cup final against West Indies, said winning three 20-over world titles since then has been gratifying.

"Pretty bloody special. I mean, people keep having digs at us that winning is boring - but it's not boring for us," the 30-year-old said.

Image Id: B86A3215D2034210B989E9D430093247 Image Caption: Wolvaardt with Strikers teammates post-match // cricket.com.au

"Every time that we come, we come to win and this is another one we got to do in front of a crowd that felt like bloody 70,000 people. It was so damn loud, so really cool."

Schutt took 1-23 off her four overs in the final, a momentous day for the team that coincided with Meg Lanning's personal milestone of 100 T20Is as captain.

The seamer attributed a large part of the team's success on the day, and across major events in recent years, to Lanning's equanimity.

Image Id: A00855C20AE447678ECBA55C352B3273 Image Caption: Schutt and Lanning celebrate post-match // Getty

"I think because she's a pretty calm character kind of rubs off on us," Schutt said.

"She presents this calmness. I mean, her chat before this game was cool because it was a bit more ampy, a few swear words in there – Meg doesn't swear a lot – so that was really cool.

"She's been a leader for so long that she knows what people need to succeed -- whether that's individually or as a team."

Head coach Shelley Nitschke also had praise for Alyssa Healy, who stood in for Lanning during her five-month break.

"Alyssa has done a fantastic job in her absence," Nitschke said.

"But I think Meg coming back had the team really lift, she's such a strong leader.

"I think the difference with her is now she's just back and she's just enjoying herself. She's enjoying her cricket.

"She's laughing out there, which is pleasing for everyone and we're just happy to see that."

The day was doubly special for Nitschke, too.

Image Id: 4F293D7940AA43F2B80CF14473AE9F76 Image Caption: Shelley Nitschke doused in champagne by Alyssa Healy in victory celebrations at Newlands // Getty

Having won her first World Cup as a player in South Africa 18 years ago, the 46-year-old has now added an ICC title to her CV as Australia's head coach, after replacing Matthew Mott in the job last year.

"It's an amazing feeling. The first one I won as a player was the first one I've been involved in as a coach, so I guess it's gone full circle."

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham

Australia's T20 World Cup 2023 fixtures

Feb 11: beat New Zealand by 97 runs

Feb 14: beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

Feb 16: beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets

Feb 18: beat South Africa by six wickets

Semi-finals

Feb 23: Australia beat India by five runs

Feb 24: South Africa beat England by six runs

Final

Feb 26: Australia beat South Africa by 19 runs