Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Australia's triumph over Netherlands pushes India to second on points table

Australia steamrolled Netherlands by 98 runs in match 14 of the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday to reclaim the top spot in Group 1, pushing India down to second place.

Australia registered a hat-trick of wins but also suffered a fitness scare as Player of the Match (POTM), Beth Mooney, experienced back stiffness and had to retire hurt at 74 in the 15th over of the game. Mooney was the chief architect of Australia's innings, facing just 42 balls and smashing nine boundaries and a maximum, scoring at a strike rate of 176.19. Georgia Voll replaced her in the second innings to take up the wicketkeeping duties.

Barring the toss, nothing much went the Dutch way as they got a glimpse of what it means to take on a former champion. Ashleigh Gardner, who had missed the previous fixture with a sprain, came back into the XI in place of Grace Harris and scored a solid fifty. Gardner finished with 58 off 32 deliveries, including eight fours and a six, at a strike rate of 181.25.

While Mooney and Gardner laid down the foundation, it was Georgia Wareham, whose quickfire 41 off just 18 balls propelled Australia to 219. Wareham took the attack to the Dutch and hammered eight fours, batting at a phenomenal strike rate of 227.77.

In reply, the Netherlands Women never really showed the intent to chase down the target, appearing content to play within themselves rather than taking risks. Their innings began on a shaky note, losing both openers inside the first four overs with just 17 runs on the board, as Kim Garth found early movement with the new ball.

Skipper Babette de Leede and Sterre Kallis then steadied the innings, stitching together a 96‑run partnership and producing some elegant strokes along the way. The problem, however, was the pace of their scoring, almost a run‑a‑ball, which was far too slow given the asking rate that kept climbing.

De Leede was impressive, finishing unbeaten on 56 off 57 deliveries, decorated with five boundaries at a strike rate of 98.24. Kallis fell just short of her fifty, bowled by Annabel Sutherland in the final over for 44 off 43 balls. Netherlands closed their innings at 121 for three, never truly threatening the target despite preserving wickets.

Group 1 Points Table