Beth Mooney’s unbeaten brilliance and a commanding chase at Lord’s seal Australia’s record seventh Women’s T20 World Cup crown.
LONDON: Australia women’s national cricket team reclaimed the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 title in emphatic fashion on Sunday, defeating England women’s national cricket team by seven wickets in the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Backed by a record crowd of more than 28,000 spectators, Australia completed an unbeaten campaign and produced the highest successful run chase in the history of a Women’s T20 World Cup final. Chasing England’s 150/4, the Australians reached 153/3 in just 17.1 overs to seal a memorable victory.
The triumph secured Australia’s seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title and its 14th ICC women’s world title overall, reinforcing the team’s dominance in international women’s cricket.
Beth Mooney delivers another final masterclass
Beth Mooney once again proved to be Australia’s big-match performer, anchoring the successful chase with a superb 64 from 49 deliveries, including 10 boundaries.
The left-handed opener registered her third half-century in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, having also played match-winning innings in the 2020 and 2023 finals.
Mooney shared a decisive 100-run partnership with Phoebe Litchfield, who struck a fluent 48 off 35 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes to take the match away from the hosts.
Although Litchfield was bowled by Charlie Dean and Mooney was later trapped leg before wicket by Sophie Ecclestone, experienced campaigners Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner calmly completed the chase.
England’s recovery not enough
Earlier, England were invited to bat first but struggled to gain early momentum against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack.
Lucy Hamilton made an immediate impact by claiming her maiden Women’s T20 World Cup wicket, dismissing Amy Jones in the second over.
Tournament leading run-scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge failed to make a significant contribution, edging a delivery from Annabel Sutherland behind.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, returning after missing three group-stage matches because of a calf injury, produced a determined 58 from 53 balls to keep her side in contention.
She was well supported by Freya Kemp, whose unbeaten 44 off 28 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six, helped England recover through an unbroken 80-run partnership and post a competitive 150/4.
Australia’s bowling effort was evenly shared, with Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux each claiming one wicket.
Australia complete perfect campaign
Australia made an aggressive start to the chase, with Georgia Voll striking the opening delivery for four before Mooney and Litchfield dominated the powerplay, racing to 62/1.
The pair continued to score freely after the fielding restrictions, ensuring England never regained control as Australia comfortably chased down the target with 17 balls to spare.
The comprehensive victory completed an unbeaten tournament for Australia and marked the team’s return to the summit of women’s T20 cricket, ending a three-year wait to lift the prestigious ICC trophy once again.