By Dwayne Ferreira.
Australian Women reached another World Cup final after Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner powered an eight-wicket win over West Indies.
Australian Women powered into another World Cup final after crushing West Indies by eight wickets in the first semi-final at The Kia Oval in London.
The defending champions delivered another ruthless knockout performance, restricting West Indies to 125/7 before racing to 127/2 in just 13 overs. The win came with seven overs unused and sent Australia into their eighth Women’s T20 World Cup final.
Beth Mooney led the chase with a calm unbeaten 61 from 36 balls. Ashleigh Gardner completed a brilliant all-round display with 35 not out from 20 balls after earlier taking 2/13. Gardner was named Player of the Match after breaking West Indies’ resistance and then finishing the contest with authority.
Australian Women Take Control Early
Australia won the toss and chose to field, a decision that quickly paid off once their bowlers dragged West Indies back from a promising start. Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph gave West Indies hope with a 47-run opening stand, but the innings lost direction once Matthews fell for 30.
The collapse was severe. West Indies slid from 47/0 to 83/6 as Australia’s spin and control squeezed the middle order. Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton both fell without scoring, while Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbelle could not turn starts into a platform.
Gardner struck key blows, while Georgia Wareham also claimed 2/17 and Sophie Molineux returned 2/30. The trio ensured West Indies never found the acceleration needed for a competitive semi-final total.
Deandra Dottin, despite a pre-match medical scare, returned to bat and gave West Indies late energy with an unbeaten 26 from 16 balls. Jannillea Glasgow added 15 from 13, but their push only carried the side to 125/7, a total that always looked short against Australia’s powerful batting line-up.
Mooney And Gardner Shut The Door
Australia briefly gave West Indies a small opening in the chase. Georgia Voll made 16 from 11 before Chinelle Henry bowled her, and Phoebe Litchfield was trapped lbw by Matthews for 4. At 43/2, West Indies had a glimpse of pressure.
But Mooney and Gardner closed it down.
Mooney played with complete control, finding gaps and punishing anything loose. Gardner added the aggression, striking four fours and one six in a rapid unbeaten 35. Their partnership turned the chase into a procession and underlined the gap between Australia and the rest of the field.
There was one concern for Australia when Ellyse Perry retired not out with a quad issue during the chase. However, early indications suggested caution rather than crisis, with Mooney saying Perry was expected to be fit for the final.
For the Australian Women, this was more than another win. It was another reminder of their depth, professionalism and tournament discipline. They entered the semi-final unbeaten, finished top of Group A, and moved one step closer to a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.
West Indies Exit With Bigger Questions
For West Indies, reaching the semi-final was an achievement. Yet the defeat exposed the widening gap between the strongest women’s cricket systems and teams still fighting for investment, structure and depth. Matthews spoke after the match about the funding imbalance in global women’s cricket, saying West Indies players have to fight hard just to compete at this level.
That wider issue framed the result. West Indies had moments of talent, especially through Matthews and Dottin, but Australia had the systems, depth and execution. In a semi-final, that difference was decisive.
Australia will now face the winner of the second semi-final between England and South Africa in Sunday’s final at Lord’s.
The message from The Oval was clear. Australian Women are not just defending champions. They remain the standard-bearers of women’s T20 cricket, and once again, they are one win away from another world title.
Chief Scores
West Indies Women: 125/7 in 20 overs
Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26*, Shemaine Campbelle 22
Ashleigh Gardner 2/13, Georgia Wareham 2/17, Sophie Molineux 2/30
Australia Women: 127/2 in 13 overs
Beth Mooney 61*, Ashleigh Gardner 35*, Georgia Voll 16
Chinelle Henry 1/20, Hayley Matthews 1/23
Result: Australia Women won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Ashleigh Gardner
Venue: The Kia Oval, London
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