Australia reclaim Women's T20 World Cup crown with commanding win over England at Lord's

By SABC Sport
6th July 2026

Australia returned to the top of women's T20 cricket, defeating hosts England by chasing down 151 with 17 balls to spare to claim a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title at Lord's.

The final pitted two impressive records against each other. England had won every Women's World Cup staged on home soil, while Australia had triumphed in every World Cup final contested between the rivals. Once again, Australia's pedigree prevailed.

Chasing the highest target ever successfully overhauled in a Women's T20 World Cup final, Australia were led by another superb innings from Beth Mooney. The left-hander produced her third straight half-century in a T20 World Cup final and shared a match-defining 100-run stand with Phoebe Litchfield, who struck a classy 48 from 35 balls.

Georgia Voll departed early, but England failed to capitalise. Mooney accelerated after a slow start and Litchfield played with freedom as Australia raced to 62 for 1 in the powerplay and 98 for 1 after 10 overs.

Litchfield's entertaining knock included a reverse-swept six before she fell just short of a half-century, while Mooney reached her fifty from 37 balls. By the time both were dismissed, the result was effectively settled.

Earlier, England struggled to build momentum after being sent in.

Lucy Hamilton removed Amy Jones for her first wicket of the tournament, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the competition's leading run-scorer, also fell cheaply thanks to sharp glovework from Mooney behind the stumps.

England reached only 39 for 2 in the powerplay and never truly escaped Australia's grip. Alice Capsey briefly counterattacked with three boundaries, including the first six of the final, but was bowled by Sophie Molineux, and Heather Knight soon followed.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt held the innings together with a patient half-century before finding support from Freya Kemp, whose unbeaten 44 lifted England. The pair added an unbroken 80 runs for the fifth wicket as England scored 57 in the final six overs to finish on 150 for 4.

It proved insufficient against an Australian side that once again delivered on the biggest stage, extending their perfect record to seven wins from seven Women's T20 World Cup finals.