New Delhi: Six-time champions Australia continued their dominance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, beating West Indies by eight wickets in the first semi-final at Kennington Oval in London.The victory was Australia’s sixth successful win at the tournament and eighth Women’s T20 World Cup final.team leader Sophie Molyneux Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the decision paid dividends as Australia’s bowlers kept the West Indies batsmen under pressure.
West Indies flounder after promising start
West Indies ended with 125/7 in 20 overs after failing to establish a consistent start.Captain Hayley Matthews top-scored with 30 off 28 balls, hitting 5 boundaries, while Qiana Joseph hit 16 balls. The pair shared 47 runs for the opening wicket before Georgia Wareham dismissed Matthews to break the partnership.Shemaine Campbell contributed 22 points, but the game lost momentum after a mid-sequence collapse.Australia attacked at regular intervals and both Stafanie Taylor and Jazala Claxton departed without scoring, reducing West Indies from 55/1 to 59/4.Cinelle Henry added 10 goals and Jannile Glasgow added 15, but the Caribbean side struggled to pick up speed.Deandra Dottin, who attracted attention after being carted off before the match, showed great determination to return and scored an unbeaten 26 off 16 balls to help West Indies chase 125/7.
Australian bowlers shine
Australia’s spin attack did most of the damage.Ashley Gardner Excellent performance, conceding only 13 runs in four overs while taking two wickets.Captain Sophie Molineux also took 2/30, while Georgia Wareham took 2/17.Annabel Sutherland contributed a wicket as Australia never allowed West Indies to put up any significant partnership.
Mooney, Gardner end game in style
Australia had an easy time chasing and reached 127/2 in just 13 overs.Georgia Voll started with an 11-ball 16 before Chinelle Henry was dismissed.Phoebe Litchfield scored four before being stranded by Hayley Matthews, while Ellyse Perry retired injured after scoring two.Beth Mooney He then smashed a brilliant unbeaten 61 off just 36 balls, hitting eight fours.She found the perfect partner in Ashleigh Gardner, who struck an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls, which included four boundaries and six boundaries.The pair put on a 63-run partnership to seal the win by 42 balls, underlining Australia’s dominance.
Australia one win away from another title
Australia’s all-round performance once again highlighted why they remain a force in world cricket.After restricting West Indies to a sub-par total with a rigorous bowling performance, their batsmen completed the chase with ease.The six-time champions will now head into the finals full of confidence to compete for another Women’s T20 World Cup title. They will face the winner of the second semi-final – England or South Africa.
