NEW DELHI: Six-time champions Australia continued their dominant run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 by crushing West Indies by eight wickets in the first semi-final at the Kennington Oval in London on Tuesday.The win was Australia’s sixth consecutive win in the tournament and booked their place in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the eighth time.Captain Sophie Molineux he won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid rich dividends as the Australian bowlers kept the West Indian batsmen under constant pressure.
West Indies struggle after a promising start
West Indies finished on 125/7 from their 20 overs after failing to build on a steady opening stand.Captain Hayley Matthews top-scored with 30 off 28 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Qiana Joseph made 16. The pair added 47 runs for the opening wicket before Georgia Wareham broke the partnership by dismissing Matthews.Shemaine Campbell contributed 22 but the innings lost momentum after a middle-order collapse.Australia struck at regular intervals as Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton both departed without scoring, reducing West Indies from 55/1 to 59/4.Chinelle Henry added 10, while Jannillea Glasgow scored 15, but the Caribbean side struggled to accelerate.Deandra Dottin, who had earlier caused concern after being taken off the field before the match, showed tremendous determination to come back and score an unbeaten 26 off 16 balls, helping the West Indies recover to 125/7.
Australian bowlers shine
Australia’s spin attack did most of the damage.Ashleigh Gardner he was outstanding, conceding just 13 runs in four overs while taking two wickets.Captain Sophie Molineux also claimed 2/30, while Georgia Wareham finished with 2/17.Annabel Sutherland chipped in with a wicket as Australia never allowed the West Indies to build any meaningful partnerships.
Mooney, Gardner finishes in style
Australia made light work of the chase, reaching 127/2 in just 13 overs.Georgia Voll gave the innings a quick start with 16 off 11 balls before Chinelle Henry dismissed her.Phoebe Litchfield made four before being trapped lbw by Hayley Matthews, while Ellyse Perry retired injured after scoring two.Beth Mooney he then anchored the chase with a superb unbeaten 61 off just 36 balls, hitting eight fours.He found the perfect partner in Ashleigh Gardner, who smashed an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls, including four boundaries and a six.The pair put together an unbroken partnership of 63 runs to seal the win with 42 balls to spare, underlining Australia’s dominance.
Australia one win away from another title
Australia’s comprehensive display highlighted once again why they remain the team to beat in world cricket.After restricting the West Indies to a sub-par total with a disciplined bowling performance, their batsmen completed the chase with ease.The six-time champions now head into the final full of confidence as they chase another Women’s T20 World Cup title. They will face the winner of the second semi-final – England or South Africa.
