Australia's women's cricket team are back on top of the world, winning their seventh T20 World Cup by outclassing hosts England in the final at Lord's. In front of a sell-out crowd of 30,000, Sophie Molineux's side secured a dominant seven-wicket victory on Sunday (Monday AEST), chasing down England's 4-150 with 17 balls to spare.
Mooney and Litchfield Shine in Record Chase
Opener Beth Mooney, Australia's all-time leading scorer in T20Is, powered to 64 off 49 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed a brilliant 48 off 35, including a memorable switch hit. Their 100-run partnership off 66 balls for the second wicket effectively ended England's hopes. Australia finished on 3-153, with Mooney named player of the match.
"Today has been truly special," said Ellyse Perry, who played in her seventh World Cup triumph. "It has been a joy to be a part of this team with Sophie leading in her first World Cup. This has been a privilege of a lifetime."
Controversial Catch and Delay Mar Finale
The only sour note came when England's Sophie Ecclestone believed she had caught Ellyse Perry at mid-off, but the third umpire ruled it not cleanly taken. Ecclestone and the crowd reacted angrily, booing Perry as she resumed her innings. Perry was still at the crease when Ecclestone bowled a wide that went to the boundary for the winning runs.
A baffling ICC decision to delay the trophy presentation for a musical performance meant the Australians lifted the trophy in front of a mostly empty Lord's, as disappointed England supporters had left early.
Australia's Dominance Continues
Australia's victory ends a rare spell without a global trophy since their last T20 title in 2023. They displayed their trademark discipline: bowling with precision, fielding sharply, and batting with enterprise. England have now lost all seven white-ball World Cup finals against Australia, and this was their first loss in a home World Cup final.
Captain Sophie Molineux, in her first World Cup as skipper, won the toss and elected to bowl. Wickets from Kim Garth (1-20), Lucy Hamilton (1-19), Molineux (1-32), and Annabel Sutherland (1-34) restricted England, despite a half-century from Nat Sciver-Brunt (58 not out) and Freya Kemp's 44 off 28.
"It's gone to plan. We've been playing the way we wanted to play all tournament," said Litchfield. "Internally, we knew we were a bloody good side, and Sophie has done an incredible job, setting us up physically and mentally."
The win cements Australia's status as the dominant force in women's T20 cricket, with their seventh title in nine finals.
