Australia overpower England to win seventh Women’s T20 World Cup

LONDON: Australia beat England by seven wickets in a one-sided Women’s T20 World Cup final at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday, sealing a seventh title after chasing 151 with 17 balls to spare.

The chase was built around a commanding second-wicket stand of 100 between Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield, as Australia once again got the better of their Ashes rivals. Australia had beaten England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes 18 months ago and again outclassed them to lift the trophy.

Litchfield made 48 off 35 balls and said Australia’s approach was to seize the initiative early. "That's the only way in T20 cricket - throw the first punch. We just tried to get the run rate down as fast as possible," she said.

She also praised her stand with Mooney. "'Moods' made it look easy out there and took the pressure off me and we had an awesome partnership. It's always lots of fun batting with 'Moods', running hard and getting creative. It's such a cool feeling to contribute and to win the World Cup is incredible."

Mooney top-scored with 64 from 49 balls and was named player of the tournament as Australia finished the competition unbeaten. She said she wanted to put her side in control as soon as possible.

England recover after poor start but fall short

England posted 150-4, a total described as below par. Their innings was anchored by an unbroken 80-run partnership between captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Freya Kemp after Australia had reduced them to 39-2 in the first six overs.

Lucy Hamilton claimed her first wicket in the World Cup when Amy Jones was caught low by Georgia Voll at gully for six. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, identified as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was dismissed for eight when wicketkeeper Mooney took a tumbling catch down the leg side off Annabel Sutherland, bringing up Sutherland’s 50th wicket in T20 internationals.

Alice Capsey struck Ash Gardner for six over deep mid-wicket but was bowled by Sophie Molineux for 23 while attempting a reverse sweep. Heather Knight was trapped lbw for two by Kim Garth, who returned figures of 1-20 from four overs. Sciver-Brunt then made 58 from 53 balls, while Kemp added 44 from 28 and hit Molineux for a straight six in the final over, but England had left themselves too much to do after their slow beginning.

Australia take control of the chase

Australia signalled their intent immediately when Voll drove the first ball from Charlie Dean to the boundary. Although Voll fell for nine in the following over, dragging on to Lauren Bell, Mooney and Litchfield put England’s attack under heavy pressure and took Australia to 98-1 in the first 10 overs.

Litchfield, who hit two sixes, was eventually bowled by Dean, while Mooney was trapped lbw by Sophie Ecclestone. Ellyse Perry then helped complete the chase after Ecclestone had a catch controversially ruled out by the TV umpire. The winning moment came through four wides from an Ecclestone delivery.

England coach Charlotte Edwards said Australia had once again shown why they remain the benchmark in the women’s game.

"They (Australia) have led the way for years. You have to be at your best to beat them and we weren't, hence why they're lifting the trophy now. Although we have missed out today I don't think we should be disheartened. This is a very, very good Australian team who have dominated women's cricket and we're not too far away," she said.