London: Australia continued their dominance in women’s T20 cricket with a commanding seven-wicket victory over England to claim a record-extending seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday, 5 July 2026, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Australia successfully chased down 151, the highest target ever set in a Women’s T20 World Cup final. Beth Mooney anchored the chase with a stunning 64 off 49 balls, as Australia reached the target with 153/3 in 17.1 overs, finishing the chase with 17 balls to spare.
The final began with Australia winning the toss and electing to field first. Asked to bat, England could not find early momentum as both their openers were dismissed before the end of the powerplay. Lucy Hamilton provided the early breakthrough for Australia by claiming her very first wicket in a T20 World Cup, dismissing Amy Jones for 6 off 6 balls. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the highest run-scorer in the tournament, also fell after scoring 8 off 9 balls to Annabel Sutherland, as the ball brushed against her glove before Beth Mooney completed a fine catch. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt then made a significant impact with a superb unbeaten 58 off 53 balls, including five boundaries. With this captain’s knock, she registered her ninth 50-plus score in Women’s T20 World Cup history and etched her name into the record books by becoming the player with the most 50-plus scores in the tournament’s history. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Freya Kemp rebuilt the innings and provided late momentum with a crucial 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping England post a fighting total. Kemp struck four boundaries and one six in a quickfire 44 off 28 balls.
Australia delivered a clinical bowling performance, restricting England throughout the innings and taking wickets at regular intervals. England managed only two sixes in their 20 overs. Australia’s spin attack, led by Sophie Molineux (1/32) and Georgia Wareham (0/9 in 2 overs), controlled the middle overs brilliantly, while Kim Garth (1/20) and Annabel Sutherland (1/34) also maintained relentless pressure with disciplined bowling.
The second innings started in positive fashion as Georgia Voll set the tone early by hitting the very first ball for four before losing her wicket in the second over. Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield then took charge of the chase, powering Australia to 62/1 in the powerplay. The duo stitched together a magnificent 100-run partnership off just 67 balls, putting Australia firmly in control of the run chase. Beth Mooney led the chase with an incredible 64 off 49 balls, smashing 10 boundaries. It was her third half-century in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, following her fifties in the 2020 and 2023 championship clashes. The knock took her tournament tally to 238 runs in seven matches at an average of 47.60. She finished second on the list of highest run-scorers in the tournament, behind Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s 302 runs. With this stunning all-round tournament performance, she deservedly won both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards. Phoebe Litchfield provided excellent support with a fluent 48 off 35 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. Mooney was dismissed 11 runs short of victory, trapped LBW by Charlie Dean. Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner comfortably completed the chase in 17.1 overs.
Australia completed an unbeaten championship campaign and lifted the coveted ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy in emphatic style.
