Beth Mooney turned Australia’s semi-final authority into a ruthless chase as the six-time champions beat West Indies by eight wickets at The Oval to reach Sunday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final.
Australia restricted West Indies to 125/7 before reaching 127/2 in only 13 overs, with Mooney unbeaten on 61 from 36 balls and Ash Gardner finishing 35 not out from 20. The ICC confirmed Australia will face the winner of the second semi-final between England and South Africa in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Gardner Over Breaks West Indies Resistance
West Indies started with a 47-run opening stand, but Hayley Matthews’ wicket exposed the middle order. Gardner’s double strike in the 11th over, removing Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton, changed the innings decisively and left West Indies scrambling from 47/1 to 59/4.
Deandra Dottin still dragged them to a defendable-looking total with 26 from 16 balls after a pre-match medical scare, but Australia’s bowling depth kept the ceiling low. Gardner took 2/13, while Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux also claimed two wickets each.
The chase never carried genuine jeopardy. Chinelle Henry removed Georgia Voll and West Indies later dismissed Phoebe Litchfield, but Mooney’s tempo erased scoreboard pressure and Gardner closed the match with the same control she had shown with the ball.
For Australia, this was more than progression. It was a statement that their unbeaten run has survived the knockout test and that Lord’s will now host another attempt at extending the most dominant dynasty in women’s T20 cricket.
