Australia Win T20 World Cup at Lord's

PL on a clinical victory by an extraordinary side

The Australians were, as they have been all tournament and in so many tournaments before this one, too good for England in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s overnight.

It is the 7th T20 victory for a side which appears to have taken its game to even higher levels. Every time the opposition closes the gap, the Australian women find a way to re-establish it.

Clinical, professional and always in control, the rebooted outfit held England to 4-150 after sending the home side into bat in front of a 28,000-strong crowd on a glorious day at Lord’s.

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt led the way with a steady 58no for 53 balls, and while a half century in a final is nothing to sniff at, the slow pace left the door ajar for the Australians in their reply.

Freya Kemp’s 44no from 28 balls helped lift the total, which would normally be enough in this format, but the opposition are an elite outfit, and if they wanted this final they needed to be bolder.

The Australian bowlers were relentless on a wicket that wasn’t easy to score on. Lucy Hamilton opened with Kim Garth, and picked up her first World Cup wicket when she had Amy Jones caught at backward point with her second delivery.

The decision to leave Alana King out must have been a tough one, but it is a reflection of the depth of talent in this outfit that she missed a number of games including the big one.

Georgie Voll hit the first delivery of the Australia innings for four, and Australia were in control from that moment until the winning runs were scored from a leg bye in the 18th. The young opener was gone early, but Beth Mooney had, as Beth Mooney does, locked in on her way in an innings that further confirms her class, skill and calm.

Mooney (64 from 49) and Phoebe Litchfield (48 from 35) put on a partnership of 100 in a display that was a batting masterclass. They were just too good for an England side many of whom were left in tears at the match’s end. Mooney plays with the opposition like a cat with a mouse, bringing the fielders up with short, sharp runs and then knocking it over their heads for four. There’s not a gap she can’t squeeze a ball through.

After the match, the veteran said she was relieved just to make the final.

It has been well documented that we haven’t come this far in the last two World Cups. I just woke up this morning grateful to be here. I was rusty at the start but it has been nice to have some consistency with the gloves and play a role. It was important to settle the dugout in the powerplay (with the bat) Phoebe came out and announced herself from ball one.

This has been on the calendar for a little while. It’s nice to be part of the squad first and foremost and have a role to play. It’s fun to be here. There’s been a lot of evolution in this group over 12 months, so it’s nice to cap it off..