Indomitable Australia crush England again to clinch 7th Women's T20 World Cup title

Australia continued their dominance over England in ICC finals as they were crowned the Women's T20 World Cup winners a record seventh time with a seven-wicket win on Sunday, July 5 at Lord's. After being put in to bat first, England staggered their way to post a decent score of 150/4, with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (58* off 53) once again leading from the front with a crucial half-century.

She had the support of Freya Kemp (44* off 28) as the duo gave the much-needed impetus to England's innings with an unbeaten 80-run partnership off 55 balls for the fifth wicket. For Australia, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (1/19, 3 overs), Sophie Molineux (1/32) and Annabel Sutherland (1/34) kept England in check throughout their innings. 

In reply, Australia came out all guns blazing to chase down the total as quickly as possible. England got the early success as Lauren Bell (1/38) made Georgia Voll (9 off 6) chop one back onto her stumps. However, Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield (48 off 35) dampened England's spirit with a massive century stand for the second wicket to bring Australia into the driver's seat.

The duo was dismissed in the final stages of the match, but Australia eventually chased down the target in 17.1 overs, completing the highest successful run chase in a Women's T20 World Cup final. As a result, Australia ended England's six-match winning streak in the tournament and also registered their seventh victory over them in an ICC final.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Beth Mooney was adjudged Player of the Match as she led Australia’s run chase with her 31^st T20I half-century. She got involved in a game-changing partnership of 100 runs off just 67 balls for the second wicket alongside Phoebe Litchfield that almost sealed the game for her team.

It was the third half-century in a T20 World Cup final for Mooney and the fifth overall in T20 World Cup knockouts, both records. She also took a brilliant catch down the leg side standing up to the stumps to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 8 (9).

Mooney was also adjudged Player of the Tournament, finishing as the second highest run scorer of the World Cup with 238 runs from seven innings at an average of 47.60 and a strike rate of 142.51 with three half-centuries to her name. She also inflicted five dismissals as a wicketkeeper, the second most in the tournament.

Turning Point

England didn’t get off to a good start in the powerplay, being reduced to 39/2 after six overs as Lucy Hamilton got rid of Amy Jones, while Annabel Sutherland removed the in-form Danni Wyatt Hodge (8 off 9).

In the second innings, Australia had a complete contrast start, scoring 62 runs in their first six overs to bring the required run rate under seven. As a result, Australia won both powerplays of the match and tilted the balance in their favour.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Sophie Molineux (Australia women):

Too good to be true. Dad's here as well. It's a special day. What did it take? A lot of thought, a lot of effort and a lot of hard work. And a group of people willing to do anything for each other. That's invaluable, having the likes of Pez to calm the team down after that first innings. Lucy Hamilton was so calm and had so much clarity, testament to her and the group around her. I think it's just being able to trust each other, trust our processes. We did a lot of work leading up to it and just nice to see it come to fruition. In tournament play you have to have the same mentality no matter the situation you are in. She's incredible, Pez. What she brings to the team isn't just on the field. Her nature and what she is, she's the heartbeat of the group really. An absolute legend of the game. She deserves so much. Firstly just a massive congratulations to England... look you guys have played such an amazing brand of cricket all tournament. To our beautiful families, partners, friends... you guys are so special to us, amazing to share this with you all. To our support staff, there's so many of you there. To the fans.. it's been an incredible tournament. Every match there has been a massive crowd. And finally to the girls... just so incredibly proud. Thank you for having an open mind and willing to come on the journey. You should be incredibly proud.

Losing Captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt (England women):

[On the disappointment of losing another World Cup final to Australia] Yeah, I’m stood here hugely disappointed. We’ve had such a great competition up to this point. And, I suppose to end like that feels a bit sour in the mouth at the moment. But, yeah, we were outplayed today by a class Australian side that used all of their experience in a huge final. [On what she would have done differently after reflecting on the match] I actually went back for a... because I was desperate for a wee (laughs). So I guess initially, I mean, ideally I’d won the toss and would be bowling first. I don’t know. We were short of a par score on that wicket. It felt tricky to gain momentum throughout the innings with the bat. Obviously, scratching around a little bit, trying to find the middle of the bat. But I guess when the pressure’s on, their bowlers hit their areas and made it very difficult for us. And I suppose we left it a bit too late in our bowling innings. Obviously trying to start off the innings with great intent with the ball, sorry, and try and pick up as many wickets in the powerplay as we could. But, yeah, Beth Mooney obviously played a brilliant innings today as well. [Were you expect Australia to come as hard as they did] Yeah, absolutely. They’ve got a powerful line-up with the bat, and you know that you need to keep taking wickets to really stem the flow because a few won’t do it. They’ve got the likes of Ellyse Perry coming in if you take two wickets. So, yeah, they’ve obviously got great depth in their batting line-up. So it makes it difficult for bowling attacks. [On what England can be proud of from the tournament] I think we’ve got so much to be proud of. Yeah, I suppose coming in and having done so much work pre-tournament, and the energy around the group throughout the competition, we’ve played some brilliant matches. Different people have had their moments, and we’ve celebrated everyone’s success so well. It’s a proper group of players that we’ve got here that really care about each other and really care about playing for England and wearing the shirt with pride. So, yeah, it’s a tough one to take, but we’outside the leg-stump be back. [On the support from the home crowd] It’s such a privilege to play for our country and in front of some amazing people who support us through thick and thin (pauses as she gets emotional). So I’m just hugely grateful.