LONDON: Australia sealed a comprehensive seven-wicket win over England to claim their seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Set 151, Australia breezed past England inside 17 overs to clinch victory, thanks to Beth Mooney’s 64, ably backed by Phoebe Litchfield’s 48.
Pacer Lauren Bell struck early to lift England as Georgia Voll fell after managing only nine in the second over. With Australia 17-1, Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield paired up for a century stand that made the final a one-sided affair.
The duo batted with great composure and capitalized on anything loose, ending the power play on a high with 62-1.
England bowlers kept at bay with elegant strokeplay from both batters as Mooney raised her half-century with Australia well ahead at 113-1 in the 13th over.
The Three Lions took a sigh of relief when Charlie Dean bowled Litchfield, who hit six fours and two maximums in her knock.
Despite the wicket, the momentum never shifted England’s way as Mooney, who was joined by Ellyse Perry, kept ticking the scorecard. Australia’s scorecard read 140 when Mooney fell, pinned by Sophie Ecclestone. She struck 10 fours in her knock.
With three required in the 17th over, Ecclestone gave five on a wide delivery, handing Australia a record seventh title. Perry remained unbeaten, 13 off 12, hitting two boundaries during her stay at the crease.
For England, there was nothing much to cheer about as Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, and Sophie Ecclestone picked up a wicket each.
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Earlier, after being put into bat first, England were limited to 150-4 in 20 overs.
The home side were under pressure right from the onset as Amy Jones perished in the second over after making six.
After a brief 25-run partnership between Danni Wyatt-Hodge and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, the former was caught behind for eight, a decision initially reviewed and later DRS confirming the edge.
At this stage, England were 32-2 in 4.5 overs.
After an early hiccup, Alice Capsey joined Sciver-Brunt in a bid to steady the innings. The pair added 35 before Australia struck in successive overs to leave the home side in a mess. Capsey, bowled by Sophie Molineux in the ninth over, scored 23 off 20 with the aid of two fours and a six.
After her wicket, Kim Garth cut short the stay of Heather Knight, managing only two. Consequently, England were 70-4 at the end of 11 overs.
However, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Freya Kemp forged an unbeaten 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take their side out of trouble. The pair helped the 2017 champions reach a respectable total.
Brunt contributed 58 off 53, including five fours, whereas Freya Kemp hit a quick-fire 44 from 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six.
Kim Garth and Lucy Hamilton remained the pick of bowlers for Australia, both picking up a wicket each.
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