LONDON : Australia produced a dominant display to beat England by seven wickets at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday, claiming a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.
A century stand for the second wicket between Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield powered Australia to 151-3 with 17 balls to spare after England posted 150-4.
The victory underlined Australia’s supremacy in the women’s game, coming 18 months after they swept England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes.
“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,” Litchfield said after scoring 48 from 35 balls.
“‘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, who was named player of the tournament, top-scored with 64 from 49 deliveries as Australia completed an unbeaten campaign.
“I just tried to make sure we got ahead of the game as early as possible,” she said.
“This is an amazing icing on the cake for what has been a pretty amazing tournament for the group.”
England’s total was built around an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 80 between captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who made 58 from 53 balls, and Freya Kemp, who struck 44 not out from 28 deliveries.
However, a slow start left England with too much to do after Australia reduced them to 39-2 inside the opening six overs.
Lucy Hamilton claimed her first wicket of the tournament when Amy Jones edged to Georgia Voll, while Annabel Sutherland removed tournament-leading run-scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge for eight after a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Mooney.
Alice Capsey made 23 before being bowled by Sophie Molineux, and Heather Knight fell lbw to Kim Garth for two.
Sciver-Brunt and Kemp accelerated in the closing overs, but England’s total proved well below par.
Australia signalled their intent immediately as Voll struck the opening ball of the chase for four before falling for nine.
Mooney and Litchfield then dominated the England attack, taking Australia to 98-1 after 10 overs and putting the result beyond doubt.
Litchfield was eventually bowled by Charlie Dean, while Mooney was trapped lbw by Sophie Ecclestone, but Ellyse Perry guided Australia home after surviving a chance when a catch by Ecclestone was overturned by the television umpire.
