Womens T20 World Cup 2026

That's all, Australia Women win by 98 runs. Shortish and around off, Babette de Leede rocks back to heave across the line but misses. It goes off her pads to backward point and they get a leg bye.

Run out chance missed. Slower one, on a length around middle and leg, Robine Rijke pushes it away tamely on the leg side, beside the pitch and tries to bring Babette de Leede on strike for the final ball. Annabel Sutherland rushes towards the ball, picks it up, turns but misses her shy at the bowling end. A direct hit would have found Robine short.

Short and on middle, it's pulled to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Packs a punch. Short in length and outside off, Babette de Leede stands tall to ride the bounce and slams it through backward point for a boundary. The crowd is loving every shot coming from the bat of Babette.

Short and around leg, Robine Rijke plays a controlled pull shot to deep square leg for a run.

OUT! BOWLED! Sutherland breaks the stand in style! She charges in but takes the pace off, landing it on a teasing length in line with the stumps. Kalis comes down the track looking for a mighty heave across the line, but she is far too early into the shot. The ball sneaks through and crashes into the stumps. A splendid 96-run partnership comes to an end. Robine Rijke walks in next, playing her 100th T20I game.

Final over of this Warm up match then. Sadly, that's what we have to call it. Annabel Sutherland will finish things off. 2-0-16-0 so far.

Fractionally short and on off, Sterre Kalis steps forward and once and pushes it without much timing. The ball eases towards mid off, and Kalis retains strike with a run. She moves to 44. Has 6 balls to reach her fifty.

Connects this time. Babette de Leede receives the short ball from outside off and pulls it in front of square on the leg side. Gets a run.

And again, action replay of the previous ball. Hamilton keeps the line outside off, the length is short and Babette de Leede is also shaping up to pull. Fails to connect though.

Play and a miss! Back of a length, around off, Babette de Leede rocks back and tries to pull but fails to connect.

Slower in pace, short and on off, Sterre Kalis moves back and plays a mistimed shot to the off side. It rolls in the gap at covers and they cross.

Wide! Short and way wide outside off, Kalis tries chasing but misses.

Swing and a miss! Lucy Hamilton comes from 'round the wicket and hurls in a short ball on middle, Kalis steps back and tries to cut it over point but misses.

Just 2 from her final over and Kim Garth finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-20-2. Outside off, BdL looks to cut and run but gets a bottom edge, which rolls away on the off side, stopped by the keeper.

A slower ball, on a length, outside off, Babette gets across and looks to pull but misses. The ball bounces in front of the keeper.

A good short ball for a variation, the skipper sways out of the way.

Full and straight, almost a yorker, de Leede keeps it out nicely.

Full and outside off, Sterre Kalis stays leg side of the ball and drives it gloriously through the covers for a run.

FIFTY FOR BABETTE DE LEEDE! Her 9th in WT20Is, but more importantly, the second by a Dutch player in a Women's T20 World Cup. She made exactly 50 against Bangladesh Women as well. Gets there with a punch through the covers and pinching a single.

Kim Garth to bowl out. 3-0-18-2 so far.

On middle and off, worked through the leg side for a single. The stand moves to 90 (78).

Nice work from Megan Schutt, who is on for Beth Mooney. Short, outside off, de Leede gets across and cuts it behind point. The ball races away but along comes Schutt racing across to her left from sweeper, slides and keeps the ball in play. Two runs saved, two taken.

On middle, worked towards mid-wicket.

Another slower ball, short and wide outside off, Babette de Leede gets across and punches, but finds point.

WIDE. Slower ball goes awry. Short and well outside off, left alone and wided.

DROPPED! Well, that's a double surprise. One, because Australia Women have been reasonably sharp in the field but second because Sutherland can pluck anything out of anywhere these days. Short, outside off, Kalis goes for the pull but is hurried into the shot. Miscues it towards mid-wicket, where Annabel Sutherland races across to her right from mid on, gets there with a dive as well, but cannot quite hold on. The batters take a single.

From around the wicket, short in length, 114.7 kph, Sterre Kalis looks to cut, giving herself some room on the leg side, but is beaten by some extra bounce.

Lucy Hamilton returns. 2-0-4-0 so far.

Back of length, around middle, Babette de Leede helps it in front of square leg and hurries back for the second run. Yet another 6-run over, this partnership moves to 85 off 72  balls.

On a length, around middle, Sterre Kalis steps back to have some room as she works it through mid-wicket for a single. 100 comes up for Netherlands Women, and it's met with a huge cheer from the crowd.

Annabel Sutherland keeps bowling short, de Leede takes it from outside off and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Sutherland deceives the batter with a clever change of pace. A touch short and on off, Babette de Leede picks it, tries to play late but still misses.

Slower one, full and outside off, it's pushed to deep cover for a run.

Annabel Sutherland digs it in short, around off, Babette pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Quicker one on off, forced to deep point for a run.

FOUR! Beautifully timed and placed by Babette de Leede! It is full and flighted, and she reaches out to fetch it from outside off before sweeping crisply over square leg. The ball splits the two sweepers on the leg side and races away to the fence. Babette de Leede moves to 41.

Quicker one, skidding in, Babette de Leede tries to flick but closes the face of her bat early. It goes off the leading edge to short third.

Skidding down the leg side, Kalis misses her sweep shot and it goes off her pads to short fine. They take a leg bye. Good running between the wickets.

Fuller and on off, Sterre Kalis drives it past the bowler but straight to mid off.

Play and a miss! Slightly short and on off, skidding on, Kalis goes back to cut but misses. That was not too far from the off pole.

DRINKS BREAK. If you are a cricket fanatic, this is boring. If you are an Aussie fan, this is frustrating. But if you are a Dutch fan, you are celebrating. This is batting of a high quality, against one of the best bowling attacks in the world. Yes, you might be at the South Pole with the target at North Pole, but sometimes, climbing the Vindhyas can also be considered an effort as equivalent to topping the Everest. It is a match of personal gains. Netherlands Women, looking for half centuries and a respectable finish, while the Aussies, looking to be tested and searching to plug all kinds of loopholes. Skipper Sophie Molineux returns. 2-0-12-0 so far.

Outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a couple.

Short, outside off, Sterre Kalis looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It hits the shin of the keeper, Georgia Voll, and races through short third. A single taken.

That one skids through. SK is early into her push and just about gets her bat down in time to punch it away.

FOUR! Through the gap this time! Similar ball to the previous one, this time Kalis waits for a fraction of a second, and then cuts it, getting it between backward point and short third! The stand moves to 70 (57)!

Quicker, shorter in length, outside off, Sterre Kalis cuts it away but finds point.

Landed outside off, slogged towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Who cannot bowl? Beth Mooney, who is off the field and any which ways, a keeper, and Georgia Voll, who is currently the keeper. Worth giving Perry the ball? Maybe later. Ashleigh Gardner is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.

A quicker ball, short outside off, SK looks to punch but misses.

On a length, outside off, worked through mid on for a run.

Slower ball, outside off, Sterre pushes it through the covers for a single.

Fuller, closer to the off stump, Kalis pushes it towards mid off.

Short and outside off, Babette de Leede cuts it behind point for a run.

Landed outside off, Sterre Kalis reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Problems? Or opportunity? Depends on how you look at a jar with water filled upto the halfway mark. Australia Women are getting some tap here but they would be happy to get some challenge, in lieu of the bigger challenges ahead. Meanwhile. Molineux is just exercising all her options. Here comes bowler number 8 - Nicola Carey.

Flatter one, around middle and leg and skidding down, Babette de Leede steps back to work it away but misses. It thuds her on the pads and rolls tamely to the off side. 5 from the over, 12 from Georgia Wareham's two overs so far.

Sharp single. Full and on middle, Kalis sweeps it straight to short fine and they pinch a quick run.

Around off, short in length, cut to point.

FOUR! Kalis pierces the gap this time! It is short on off and comes through quicker, but she stays back and places the square cut beautifully between backward point and short third. That races away to the fence and brings up 2000 T20I runs for Kalis, a fine milestone.

Again the length is short, around off, Kalis cuts but it goes on one bounce to point.

Slower short ball, around off and spinning in, Kalis goes back and punches but finds the extra cover fielder diving to her right.

Back of a length, around off, Babette de Leede stands back to run it down past short third but finds the fielder. 10 runs from Annabel Sutherland's first over.

Another short ball, around middle, Kalis pulls it to deep square leg and rotates the strike.

Short and on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Delivered short and outside off, Sterre Kalis goes on the back foot and cuts it to deep point for a run.

In the air... FOUR! It is fuller around off and angling in, and Kalis stands tall looking to power it straight. The ball catches the inner half and flies towards mid on, where Alana King dives sharply to her left. She may have got fingertips to it, but cannot stop it from racing away behind her for four. The 50-run stand is up for the pair.

Wide! Sutherland loses her radar this time and slips a full ball down the leg side, Kalis tries to get some bat behind it but misses.

Sutherland begins with a full delivery on middle and leg, and Kalis clips it neatly off her pads through square leg. She finds the gap, and the pair comes back comfortably for two.

Halfway mark reached. Netherlands Women looking far more comfortable as compared to against the new ball. The last 2 overs have picked up some momentum and Australia Women have turned towards their new GOAT - Annabel Sutherland.

Down the leg side, Sterre helps it through fine leg for a single. 10 from the over, 20 in the last 2!

FOUR MORE! The Dutch fans are loving this. Another short ball, but while the previous shot was hit behind square, this one is hit in front of square. Kalis rocks back and punches this through the covers for consecutive boundaries. 158 more needed from 61 balls.

FOUR! Nicely played! A silent partner all this while, Kalis is slowly opening up now. Fractionally short, outside off, Sterre Kalis goes back, gets her hands down from a very high position and cuts it through backward point for a boundary! The stand moves to 41 (34).

Tossed up and fuller, around off, Babette milks it down to long on for a single.

Landed outside off, a touch short, coming in with the angle, de Leede hangs back and punches it towards cover.

Ashleigh Gardner is into the attack now. Spinner number 4. Fuller, around off, Babette de Leede leans and pushes this back to the bowler.

Outside off, pushed through mid off for a run. 10 runs from the over.

Oohhh.. another wrong 'un, not picked. de Leede plays that from the crease, looking to cut and is cramped as the ball skids through. Mistimes it towards point.

Around middle and off, Babette de Leede gets down and paddles it through fine leg for a couple.

Outside off, eased through the covers for a single. 50 UP FOR NETHERLANDS WOMEN!

SIX! Clean hit! A leg spinner this time from King, tossed up outside off, Kalis comes forward, picks the spin nicely this time and lofts it beautifully over long off! The first six for the Dutch in WT20 World Cups!

A googly to start. Quicker and around off, Sterre Kalis goes back to punch but misreads the googly. Gets a bottom edge back onto the pitch.

More spin. The Queen of spin in Women's cricket - Alana King - is onto bowl.

FOUR! Babette de Leede leans into a beautifully tossed-up full ball on off and crunches the drive through extra cover. Pure timing and placement, a lovely shot from the Netherlands captain.

Quicker and on middle, de Leede walks forward and defends it down.

A touch short and on off, Babette de Leede goes on the back foot and slaps it through backward point. They take two, a hesitant second and a better throw to the keeper would have made things interesting.

Fullish and around leg, Babette goes down and across for the sweep shot. Doesn't intend to play it that fine but it goes wide of short fine. It's to the right of the fielder and they get two runs.

Flatter through the air, around off, Babette de Leede steps down and pushes it to covers.

Flighted and full, around middle, the batter defends it back from the inner part of her bat.

Spin from both ends? Or 4 on the trot for Garth? The former. Skipper Sophie Molineux returns. 1-0-4-0 so far.

Wareham drags her length short once more in this over, around middle, Babette de Leede rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Takes a run.

Georgia Wareham changes her length and delivers it full and on off, Kalis knocks it down to long on for a run.

A touch short and outside off, Sterre Kalis rocks back to slap it through the line but misses.

Short third is kept busy. Shortish and on off, Sterre Kalis cuts but finds the fielder inside the ring.

Flatter and shorter on off, Babette de Leede again rocks back to cut and this time it goes off the outer half, to the left of short third. The fielder makes a stop by moving across and they cross.

EDGY FOUR! Short and around off, Babette gets back and tries to cut but edges it behind. It's fine of short third and races away to the fence.

DRINKS BREAK. Already a no contest? Don't think many did not expect this either at the start. The Dutch look a bit determined, but they are being hurried up by Australia's extreme pace. While they themselves sprayed the ball in their bowling Powerplay, the Aussies have been right on the money, determined to be as clinical as ever. From Netherlands' point of view, all eyes will be on Sterre Kalis, who can be considered as their best batter, with excellent footwork and conviction. While one part will hope for a good batting show and a respectable total put on board, the other part will also wish that the batters give the Aussies a run for their money by playing some shots. It will be interesting to see how do the Aussie spinners fare on this deck. Here's Georgia Wareham.

Gets across once again and pulls it through square leg for a run. NETHERLANDS WOMEN END THEIR POWERPLAY ON 28/2.

Full and straight, BdL gets across and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. Had she missed, she was plumb LBW.

Another quality shot. On a length, outside off, Babette is on the walk, and punches it through the covers. Does not have enough power on it and the ball comes to a stop in the outfield. Two runs taken.

The length is held back this time. This one moves away off the deck, outside off, de Leede pushes but misses. No feet movement this time.

FOUR! The cheers grow louder! Jeez, that's a quality shot. Garth is searching for swing, hence is keeping the length full. But this time, she just kind of overcooks it and bowls it a bit wider as well, outside off. Babette de Leede stands tall and punches it in the gap between cover and point, earning her first boundary.

Full and outside off, plenty of away swing, Sterre Kalis watchfully pushes it through point for a single. For number followers, Netherlands Women need another 199 runs from 89 balls.

Final over of the Powerplay. Any experiments? Nope. Garth to bowl 3 on the trot.

Drifting down the leg side. Sterre Kalis gets across and looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball goes off her pads and deflects to the leg side. A single taken, leg bye signalled.

Full and just outside off, hint of away shape, SK takes a couple of steps down the track but just pushes it away from her body. Ends up playing it in the air, but wide of the bowler, to her left, towards mid off.

Another play and a miss. Similar ball to the previous one, a bit further that's all, but Sterre cuts and misses again.

Closer to the batter, fractionally short but very close to off stump, Kalis looks to cut but is cramped for room, and misses.

WIDE. Ohh.. rough call? Maybe the bowler in me felt so. Lucy Hamilton comes from around the wicket and tries to take the ball further away from the batter. She pitches it outside off and to the naked eye, it seemed like while the ball moved away, after it was left alone, it was inside the wide guideline. Will have to check the replays.

Slightly short of full, around middle, de Leeds stays back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

On middle, Babette de Leede pushes it towards mid on.

Pace is troubling the Dutch here. Sterre Kalis walks in next, at number 4, replacing Heather Siegers. Lucy Hamilton is back on as well. 1-0-2-0 so far.

OUT! GIVEN LBW! Garth strikes, and Heather's review cannot save her! It is a touch short on middle, and Heather swivels back looking to pull, but the ball sneaks past the bat and thuds into the back thigh pad. The appeal is immediate, and this time the finger goes up. UltraEdge confirms no bat, while Ball Tracking shows it is pitching outside off, striking in line and crashing into the stumps. The decision stands, and the Netherlands lose their second wicket for 17 runs on the board, chasing 220.

Short and on off, taking the pace off, Heather tries to tap and run but it goes straight to backward point and her partner sends her back.

FOUR! Nice shot. Full in length and outside off, shaping away a hint, Heather Siegers attacks it with all her power and smacks it down through mid off for a boundary.

Slower one, on a shortish length outside off, Heather Siegers tries to play the late cut but gets a bottom edge. It rolls behind to the keeper.

Outside off, Babette de Leede plays a mistimed paddle scoop towards square leg, for a run.

This one is angled down the leg side, Heather shuffles across to flick but misses. It goes off her pads to short fine and they cross for a leg bye.

Change of ends for someone? Nope. Garth continues.

AERIAL BUT SAFE! Loopy and around off, turning away a bit, Heather Siegers walks forward to slog it across the line but gets an outside edge. It flies in front of Lucy Hamilton who runs forward from short third but it drops in front of her. Does well to have her body behind to stop the ball from racing away.

Flighted around off, Heather walks forward, is a bit deceived but does well to push it towards covers.

Floated and full, on off, Babette de Leede gets down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a run.

Around middle, skidding in, it's punched to covers.

Wide! Down the leg side, the batter lets it be.

Goes down to a full ball and sweeps it to deep fine for a single.

A huge shout for lbw! Molineux fires in the arm ball around off, and it skids on after pitching. Heather goes down for the sweep but misses completely, wearing it on the right thigh. Australia appeal loudly and, with the umpire unmoved, opt for the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat, while Ball Tracking shows impact in line but only clipping the leg stump. It stays with the on-field call. That looked very close.

A quick single to end the second over. Outside off, Heather Siegers pushes it through point and crosses over. A wicket and 5 runs from the former Irishwomen's opener.

Nicely played. On a length, outside off, Babette eases this through the covers. Her opposite number tracks it down from mid off and saves a run for her side. Three taken.

Fractionally short, outside off, de Leede comes down the track and swings hard. Mistimes it towards mid on.

Very nice outswing, on a good length, outside off, Babette de Leede pushes but misses.

One down pretty early. Skipper Babette de Leede walks in next, at number 3, replacing Phebe Molkenboer.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! There's the first one down. On a length, outside off, Phebe Molkenboer throws her bat at that, without moving her feet. The pace on the ball is too much for her as she just about manages to reach the ball. Gets a thick outside edge behind and Georgia Voll takes her first catch as a wicketkeeper in WT20Is. NETHERLANDS WOMEN ARE 3/1 CHASING 220.

On a length, outside off, 110.5 kph, Heather Siegers backs away, opens the face of her bat and guides it behind point for a single.

A pacy opening over. It will be Kim Garth to share the new ball.

Comes down the track and punches it straight to cover.

Full and straight, Molkenboer defends it down the track.

Short and wide outside off, moving away, Phebe Molkenboer slashes but misses.

A bit of a concussion check. The physio is out in the middle to do the duties. And quickly, we are ready to go.

Just a single on the Free Hit. A short ball, on middle, Siegers is beaten by pace but manages to get it off the top edge, onto her helmet and through square leg. Big cheers from the crowd for the single.

NO BALL! Not for overstepping. While delivering the ball, Lucy Hamilton's left arm hit the bails at her end and dislodged the pair. Hence the no ball signal. Coming to the ball, Heather has another swing and a miss. Free Hit coming up!

Well, we definitely need to better our homework. We felt that Australia Women don't have any backup keeping options other than Phoebe Litchfield for Beth Mooney. But here we have Georgia Voll, who is donning the gloves for this match. Reminds us of all the years back when Michael Hussey had taken the gloves for Australian Men's side.

This one swings further away, Heather pushes but misses.

Good start. On a length, outside off, steep pace, Heather Siegers reaches out to cut but misses.

Only 10 runs from the final over. On middle, Annabel goes back and heaves it straight to deep mid-wicket. Should have been just a single, especially with Alana King only halfway. But the fielder throws it to the wrong end, the keeper's and Sutherland makes it back in with ease. AUSTRALIA WOMEN FINISH ON 219/6, THE JOINT HIGHEST TOTAL OF THIS WORLD CUP!

Slower ball again, from the back of the hand, Annabel shapes up for the reverse sweep but does not quite execute it that well. Hits it from the top half of the bat and just about clears short third. Come back for the second.

FOUR! Finally, a boundary for Australia. Short, outside off, pace taken off. Sutherland reaches out and cuts it through point.

Super first half of the over. Just 2 runs. On middle, King works it through mid-wicket. Wants the second, but Sutherland asks her to stay where she is.

Excellent slower ball, short in length, outside off. Alana King looks to cut but is beaten for pace.

On middle, Annabel Sutherland comes down the track and chips it down to long on for a single.

Final over then. 220 still on as an aim for Australia Women. Alana King walks in next, at number 9, replacing her skipper, Sophie Molineux. Heather Siegers will wrap things up. 3-0-24-1 so far.

OUT! BOWLED! A half century and 3 wickets in the same inning. Although, Iris Zwilling would have preferred that half century to have come with the bat. A lovely slower ball, around middle and leg, Molineux gets back and across and has a mightly hack, aiming to access the area behind square on the leg side. But she misses and the ball goes through, to hit the timber. A quick entry and exit for the skipper, and AUSTRALIA WOMEN ARE 209/6 AFTER 19 OVERS.

DROPPED! Another one goes down. Full, outside off, pace taken off, Annabel Sutherland comes down the track and looks to go inside out. Ends up slicing it. The ball goes straight to short third, where the fielder tracks back but cannot hang on. Single taken.

Down the leg side, Molineux pulls it through fine leg. It gets stopped and the batters take three runs.

FOUR! Another batter starts off with a boundary. Short, outside off, Sophie Molineux rocks back and cuts it through point to get off the mark in style.

Into the bowling allrounders now. Skipper Sophie Molineux walks in next, at number 8, replacing Georgia Wareham.

OUT! CAUGHT! Given her hammering, Zwilling will take this wicket. Full, outside off, pace off, Wareham gets down and looks to sweep it away, but mistimes it. She only manages to hit it in the air, only towards square leg. Silver Siegers tracks back a touch and takes it calmly. End of a fiesty knock from Wareham and AUSTRALIA ARE 201/5 AFTER 18.2 OVERS.

FOUR! Too much width. On a length, away shape, but way outside off. Georgia Wareham carves it over cover for a boundary. 200 UP FOR AUSTRALIA, 11 balls left. The third team after England and India to reach this mark in this edition.

Silver? Or Heather? It does appear as if the Sigers sisters will bowl the remaining two overs. Or, will they? One won't, because it is Iris Zwilling who has been given the 19th over. 3-0-40-1 so far.

Caroline de Lange drops it short again, on off, Georgia pulls it straight to deep mid-wicket for a run. 12 from the over, 12 balls remaining and Australia are three short of 200.

Short again, on middle, pulled in the gap at deep mid-wicket for two runs.

FOUR! Moves to 34 off 14 balls... Short in length and on middle, Georgia Wareham shows her true power as she hammer-pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Shot! Meanwhile, Georgia Wareham continues her merry way, striking in excess of 200. Full and flighted, outside off, mid off is up and Wareham thwacks it over the infield for a boundary.

Australia Women may not be too concerned about this match in particular, but they would want to fine tune some skills ahead of bigger clashes in the tournament. For now, they will aim at getting 220 from here. It is difficult, which is why they will aim that much.

Fuller and on middle, knocked down to long on for a run.

OUT! CAUGHT! A tame dismissal, and the Netherlands have another wicket. It is floated up full on off, and Carey skips down the track looking to clear mid off with the field up. But she cannot get enough of it, offering a simple catch to Robine Rijke inside the ring. A missed opportunity for Carey, who had the invitation but not the execution. ANNABEL SUTHERLAND walks in next, at number 7, replacing Carey.

That 17th over, fuels up the predictions again. Netherlands Women were doing reasonably well at the death, but once again, 210-220 range is surfacing. Caroline de Lange will bowl out. 3-0-27-1 so far.

Shortish and on off, Nicola Carey whacks it towards covers where the fielder gets her fingertips on it. It slows down the ball as it sneaks through. The batters get three runs. 18 from the over.

Isabel Van Der Woning comes from 'round the wicket and delivers a short ball on middle, Carey heaves it over mid-wicket and takes a couple.

A dipping yorker around leg, Georgia Wareham digs it out down to long on, for a run.

FOUR! Connects well this time. Short delivery, on middle, Georgia latches onto it and pulls it with good timing and placement. It scoots through backward square leg for a hat-trick of boundaries.

FOUR! And again... Georgia Wareham is turning out to be the master of edges. Width on offer, short again, Wareham tries to smash it over covers but the outside edge takes it over short third, and for a boundary.

EDGY FOUR! Short in length and wide outside off, Georgia throws her bat at it and it flies off the outside edge. It's wide of the keeper and races away to the fence at deep third.

Worries for Australia? Well, they might be in the top 2 of the points table for now, but their 'bigger' fixtures will just come around the corner. With Phoebe Litchfield already under an injury cover, they will hope that Mooney recovers quickly. These are two wicketkeepers with no other backup. Isabel Van Der Woning is back on. 1-0-12-0 so far.

Excellent over from Silver, considering the stage. On middle, short again, GW pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

The googly, outside off, but short, Nicola Carey cuts it through point for one.

Shorter, outside off, Georgia pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Not cleanly timed, but does not matter. Wareham looks to loft this inside out and toe-ends it. Just about clears mid off and that does it for her, as the ball races to the fence.

Another long hop, pulled straight to deep mid-wicket this time. Should have been just a single but a misfield allows the second.

A short ball, around off, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.

5 overs left. Silver Siegers is back on. 2-0-16-0 so far.

On middle, pushed down to long on for a single. A wicket and 6 runs from the over, Caroline de Lange's bowling figures read 3-0-27-1 so far.

Slower through the air, short and spinning away, Wareham looks to cut but misses.

FOUR! Superb gap finding. Full, around off, Georgia Wareham gets down on her very first ball and employs the sweep. Connects well and finds the boundary at mid-wicket!

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover where a misfield allows a single.

Ouch! Beth Mooney is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Beth Mooney is retired hurt.

A wicket almost immediately after the break. Nicola Carey walks in next, at number 6, replacing Ashleigh Gardner.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's nearly two wickets in quick succession, both of set batters. Fractionally short, around off, Ashleigh Gardner comes down the track and hits this really well. Or so, it seems. But she is not quite able to find the legs as deep mid-wicket takes it pretty comfortably. Sterre Kalis it is, who takes her second catch of the match. Gardner departs after a lively knock and AUSTRALIA WOMEN ARE 152/3, potentially 4, AFTER 14.2 OVERS.

Outside off, cut straight to cover.

DRINKS BREAK. Seems like the Aussie dugout did not realize that the second Drinks break is upon everyone. Can't blame them. Mooney and Gardner are putting on a show, rewinding the clock. It has been a while seeing both of them bat together. The last time the duo added 50-plus runs in white-ball cricket was against India Women in an ODI, in a bilateral series. And if we look at WT20Is alone, we have to go further back to 2023, against England. Australia Women have the platform, and will aim 200 from here on. Can Netherlands Women stop them at the death? Breaking news. BETH MOONEY SEEMS TO BE HAVING AN ISSUE AND IS RETIRING HURT. GEORGIA WAREHAM comes in. For Netherlands, Caroline de Lange comes onto bowl. 2-0-21-0 so far.

Fuller and around leg, Mooney creates room and threads her drive through covers for a couple. 21 runs from the over!

SIX! BANG! Australia are cruising now! It is short around off, and Mooney swivels smartly on the back foot before hoisting it over deep backward square leg. That sails into the stands and brings up 150 for Australia. The innings is motoring along nicely.

FOUR! Mooney joins the fun now! It is full and outside off, and Beth shuffles across the stumps to bring out a cheeky lap shot. She spoons it neatly over short third, and the ball skips away for four.

Short and wide outside off, Ashleigh Gardner plays a mistimed punch to covers, for a run.

FOUR MORE! Gardner is in the mood now! It is short around middle, and she gets deep in the crease before hammering the pull over square leg. That races away in a flash, taking her strike rate beyond 190. Sizzling stuff from Ash.

FOUR! Superbly done by Gardner! It is full outside off with mid off up in the ring, an invitation she is never likely to decline. Ash leans forward and chips it elegantly over the infield for four. That brings up her eighth T20 half-century and her first in T20 World Cups, a landmark innings with plenty of flavour.

Next match. Ha ha, not really. The camera pans onto some new arrivals and we see another team in Green arriving. It is Pakistan, who are here, to prepare for the next match of the day and on this very ground - against Bangladesh, which kicks off at 1.30 pm GMT. Iris Zwilling returns. 2-0-19-1 so far.

Around middle, turning in, Ash nudges it to square leg and a misfield allows a single.

FOUR! Gardner finds the gap and the fence! Heather pitches it full around off, and Ashleigh Gardner is down the track in a flash. She unleashes that raw power, hammering it wide of long on. The fielder from deep mid-wicket gives chase and throws in a dive, but the ball has already made it through.

Heather Siegers delivers it short and wide outside off, Mooney slaps it to deep cover for one. These singles won't harm Netherlands Women.

Keeps the length short one more time does Heather, on middle, Gardner goes back and pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket. The fielder is quick, so only a run, again.

Heather bowls it short and around leg, Mooney stays leg side and punches it to deep cover. Another single taken.

Short in length and on off, Ash goes on the back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Short, around middle and off, AG pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. 12 from the over.

FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Full, on middle and off, Ashleigh Gardner gets down and scoops it over short fine leg. The stand now moves to 70 (40). Gardner has scored 41 of those.

Floated, outside off, Ashleigh drives it powerfully but straight to cover.

FOUR! BLAST! Slightly short of full, on middle, Ashleigh Gardner gets down and slogs it over mid-wicket for a boundary!

Outside off, Mooney comes down the track and hammers it uppishly towards cover. The fielder initially goes for the catch but quickly realizes that she won't be able to make it. Covers the ball with her body and prevents it from going behind. Just a single.

Myrthe van den Raad is back on. 1-0-14-0 so far. Starts off with a length ball down the leg side, Beth Mooney tickles it through square leg for a couple. The stand moves to 61 (36).

Short and outside off, Mooney cuts it behind point. The fielder gets across to her left, but she gets a bad bounce and the ball goes through.

Good fielding again. Gardner chips it over the bowler and long on does really well to keep the batters to a single.

Excellent fielding. Short, outside off, Mooney cuts it behind point. Short third runs after it and manages to get to it, diving and pushing the ball away to her partner from deep point. The pass is a bit wide, so a possible couple becomes a triple. Still, excellent effort.

MISCUE, BUT SAFE! Wear helmets for safety. But sometimes, they obscure your vision. Short, around off, Gardner goes for the pull but is hurried into the shot. Gets a top edge as the ball skids through and goes straight up and behind. Should have been a simple catch, but unfortunately, the keeper cannot see where the ball is, due to her helmet. By the time she realizes where the ball is, it lands. A run taken.

Now Beth Mooney is down the track, hitting it past the bowler to her right, for a run.

Good running. Full outside off, Ashleigh Gardner comes down the track and drives it slightly to the left of mid off, but is able to take a quick single.

Halfway mark reached. Without a doubt, the pitch looks much better for batting as compared to last night. But the outfield looks to be damp and greasy, with the ball stopping consistently. Silver Siegers is back on. 1-0-8-0 so far.

Walks forward to a full ball and knocks it down to long on for a run. 102/2 at the halfway mark are the Aussies.

Short again, this time it's cut towards point and a slight misfield allows a single. The 50-run stand comes up.

Short and wide outside off, Beth initially looks to cut but then leaves, thinking it to be called a wide. It's not.

FOUR MORE! Easy pickings for Mooney! It is short and drifting down the leg side, and she rocks back to pull it fine towards deep backward square leg. The ball beats the fielder and races away, bringing up Australia's 100. It also raises a fine half-century for Mooney, off 30 balls, and she has kept the innings humming beautifully. 29th fifty in this format for Beth, to go with two centuries.

FOUR! MISFIELD! Mooney gets down early and powers the sweep towards deep backward square leg. It lands safely in the outfield, but the fielder lets it slip through, and the ball trickles away to the fence. A boundary gifted to Australia, and Mooney will happily take it.

Flighted and full, around middle, Mooney advances down the track for a lofted shot and just gets it over mid off. The ball doesn't have the legs to cross the fence and she gets a couple.

Flatter and shorter, around leg, Mooney steps back to make room and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. 12 from the over!

Short on middle, pulled over mid-wicket for one.

Turning away from the batter, around off, Ashleigh Gardner cuts it to deep cover where the fielder makes a sliding stop. The batters get two.

Around off, punched to deep cover for a run.

PUT DOWN! Short and wide outside off, and Gardner cuts it towards point. It flies aerially towards the fielder but Molkenboer fails to catch it. The ball bursts through her fingers and goes in the deep. They take a single.

SIX! Gardner sends it all the way! It is full and inviting outside off, and Ashleigh Gardner dances down the track with wonderful footwork before launching it cleanly over long off. That is an exhibition of controlled power, easy on the eye and brutal on the bowler.

Bowler number 7. It will be Frederique Overdijk to bowl medium pace now.

Short and wide outside off, slapped to sweeper cover for one.

FOUR! One of her favourite shots. Floated, outside off, Gardner comes down the track and goes inside out, clearing mid off quite comfortably again, but this time, the ball does not plonk on landing. Speeds through to the fence.

Short, outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Comes down the track and works it through mid on for a single.

Super stuff by Robine Rijke. Tossed up, outside off, Gardner comes down the track and lofts it through the line. Clears mid off comfortably but the ball plonks in the outfield after landing. Rijke tracks it down and puts in a wonderful slide, parrying the ball to her partner from long on. Two runs saved, two taken.

Is that well stopped? The fielding effort is excellent but this could be checked upstairs. Nope, the umpires are happy. Terrific fielding.

Short, around off, Ashleigh Gardner goes back and cuts, but finds cover-point.

Sisters in tandem? Not quite. But it will be spin in tandem. Caroline de Lange, another leggie, comes onto bowl.

Another wrong 'un. Short and down the leg side, Ashleigh Gardner goes back and helps it through mid-wicket. Pushes for two but gets just one.

Full and down the leg side, Beth Mooney flicks it through mid-wicket. This time, the fielder in the circle rushes back and slides, to keep the batters to a single with a fine stop.

A dot ball now. A little extra pace that time, 78.1 kph, shorter and the other one, the googly, BM goes back and looks to cut but is beaten by pace.

Hat-trick of couplets! On middle and leg, short of full, this time Beth goes back and works it to the left side of deep mid-wicket.

Tossed up, but way too full. It comes up as a full toss, outside leg and once again Mooney works it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a brace.

A short ball, around leg stump, Beth Mooney works it through mid on and charges back for the second.

Solid Powerplay for Australia. They lost two wickets to loose shots, but have managed 12 hits to the fence in the other 34 deliveries. The bowling has been inconsistent and while that serves as a good aim for the Dutch to improve, the Aussies will need to be careful on bordering on the line of overconfidence. Sibling time. Silver Siegers, the sister of Heather Siegers, comes onto bowl some leg spin.

FOUR! Poor delivery and this has been punished as well. Short on middle, and Gardner swivels neatly inside the crease to pull it wide of short fine for four. 10 from the over, Australia finish the Powerplay strongly at 61 for 2.

FOUR! Put away this time to the fence, despite a valiant effort from Sterre Kalis. Loopy delivery, a low full toss on middle, Ashleigh Gardner flicks it through mid-wicket, and it races away. Kalis runs across to her right, puts in the slide but the ball wins the race.

Fuller in length and outside off, Ash drives but finds the cover fielder.

Gardner finds the gap but not the pace in the outfield as the ball slows down before the fence. It is short and wide outside off, and Ash rocks back to slap it neatly through cover-point. The fielder gets across to cut it off and Ashleigh Gardner gets off the mark with a couple.

Short and on middle, turning down, Ash clips it to square leg.

DRINKS BREAK. Well, well, well. In helpful conditions, the Netherlands are bowling some really loose deliveries but the Aussies have been helpful in gifting wickets away. The scoreboard suggests that Australia Women have got off to a canter, which they have, but the first 4 overs were really inconsistent from the bowling side. Maybe, they were sizing up the conditions. But in the last few deliveries, they have managed to get a hold of the conditions and the results are there to be seen. It will be interesting to see how the batting side responds to improved bowling. Or, do they just keep going hard, just like they did against South Africa? Ashleigh Gardner walks in next, at number 4, replacing Ellyse Perry.

OUT! CAUGHT! Perry departs early, and the Netherlands have their second wicket in four balls after Australia's flying start! It is a short ball on off, begging to be dispatched, and Perry rocks back to pull. She strikes it reasonably well but cannot find the gap, picking out the only fielder stationed on the leg side. Sterre Kalis at deep mid-wicket is as safe as houses, and Perry's 50th T20 World Cup appearance ends with an unusually quiet exit. With the bat, for now.

Final over of the Powerplay coming up. It does not matter how you start. What matters is how you finish. The Dutch will follow that belief. Heather Siegers returns now. 1-0-5-0 so far.

Pitched up and outside off, Ellyse Perry drives it square of the wicket, the ball scoots to deep point and they take a single. Yes-No over the second run and eventually, Beth Mooney is sent back.

Shortish and on off, tapped down to covers.

The Aussies have the runs on the board, but they would have wanted a wicketless Powerplay. The first player, male or female, to feature in 50 T20 World Cup matches is here - Ellyse Perry - at number 3, replacing Georgia Voll.

OUT! CAUGHT! A breakthrough from nowhere, and the Netherlands are buzzing! Zwilling goes fuller around off but takes the pace off at 96 kph. Voll looks to heave across the line, only to swing a fraction too early. The top edge balloons towards point, where Phebe Molkenboer keeps her eyes on the skier and takes it safely. A timely strike for the Dutch, and Voll's lively start comes to an end.

FOUR! Voll sends it whistling to the fence! Zwilling drops short again around middle, and Voll is right on top of the bounce. She brings that strong bottom hand into play and muscles the pull through square leg, a region she seems to have marked as her personal boundary bank. 50 up for Australia Women!

Zwilling digs it in short, slower in pace, Beth gets back and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Iris returns for another spell and bowls a full ball around leg, Beth Mooney clips it off her pads to deep square leg. Again, the Aussie pair runs superbly to collect two runs.

Will we see a 5th bowler in 5 overs? Nope. Iris Zwilling is back on. 1-0-11-0 so far.

A leg bye to end the proceedings. Mooney comes down the track but is not able to get to the pitch of the ball. Goes through her flick but misses. The ball goes towards mid-wicket and a leg bye is taken.

FOUR! Another boundary behind square. Short and down the leg side, enough time for Mooney to rock back and help it behind square leg. The stand moves to 42 (23)!

WIDE. van den Raad switches to over the wicket for the left hander and loses her radar. Full and down the leg side, swings further down, Beth Mooney looks to swing but misses. Good collection by the keeper, diving to her right.

Better, on a length around off, angling away, Georgia backs away and cuts it behind point for a single.

FOUR MORE! Pressure is getting the better of the bowler, it seems. Another short ball, around middle, once again Voll gets up and under the ball and pulls it over square leg. No soul in the deep on that side.

FOUR! Up and over. Short and fine leg up. Christmas and carols together. Easy pickings for Voll as she gets outside the line and pulls it over short fine leg for a boundary.

On a length, from around the wicket, on middle, Georgia Voll defends.

Expensive beginning so far. And as a result, we are seeing the 4th bowler in the 4th over. It will be Myrthe van den Raad.

Landed outside off, for a change, BM finds the fielder. She predicts the length, expects it to be short and is in position early. Opens the face of her bat and guides it but finds short third.

Full and straight, Beth drives it towards mid on.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! A touch short, but down the leg side. Mooney calmly uses the pace and helps it past short fine leg, to her right.

FOUR MORE! Occlumency on offer, if there are Harry Potter fans here. Mooney is reading minds. She realizes that Isabel will go full from around the wicket and is prepared. Comes forward, converts it into a full toss and drives it between cover and mid off for consecutive boundaries!

FOUR! Nicely done. Isabel Van Der Woning shortens the length and cramps the batter for room. So Mooney backs away, gives herself some room and at the last moment, opens the face of her bat to guide it through the vacant slip cordon to the deep third fence!

Van Der Woning begins with a full delivery around off, and Mooney unfurls a crisp drive straight at short cover. A lovely shot, but no reward on the scoreboard.

Team In Green? Don't blame you if you are confused. Australia are generally known as the Team In Yellow, but whenever they play this format, they wear this type of clothing. It started with the Men, way back in 2008, when they got a new sponsor for home cricket and have adopted this approach pretty consistently. Yes, here and there, you do see Australia play T20Is or WT20Is in Yellow, but it is more consistent for ODIs. It will be Isabel Van Der Woning into the attack now.

Play and a miss! Georgia Voll misses out there. Short in length and wide outside off, Voll rocks back to cut but fails to connect. Only 5 from the over, a good one from Heather Siegers.

Loopy one, full and angling around middle, Beth Mooney leans across and wrists it through mid-wicket for one.

Full this time, around off and skidding in, Beth gets forward and pushes it to short cover.

Shortish once more, around off, Mooney rocks back and cuts but finds the diving point fielder.

FOUR! Lovely placement. Shortish and on off, skidding in, Beth Mooney uses the depth of the crease to create room, goes back and packs a punch through covers for a boundary.

Heather Siegers begins with a short ball on off, Mooney goes back and punches it to covers.

A loose start. That's what we got from the opening over. There is plenty of movement available, but Iris Zwilling was not quite able to control her swing. Let's see how this end shapes up. It will be Heather Siegers to offer her offies with the new ball.

FOUR! So, both the Aussie openers have one boundary each by the end of the first over. Voll is quick to cash in! Zwilling pitches it fuller outside off, and the Australian opener leans into a delightful cover drive, threading the gap with ease. That is a cracking shot, and it races away for four. 11 from the opening over!

Slightly short and outside off, Georgia Voll stays on the back foot and plays it late but still finds the fielder at cover-point.

Straighter in line again and fuller this time, Mooney clips it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a run.

Fuller and on middle, Beth gets forward and helps it to mid-wicket. Dot.

FOUR! Mooney puts it away with authority! Zwilling goes short again around middle, and the Australian opener rides the bounce beautifully before rolling her wrists on a controlled pull behind square. A shade too fine for the fielder, and it whistles away to the boundary. The first four of the match, and Mooney has found her rhythm early.

Zwilling starts a touch short on middle, and Mooney is quickly onto it, pulling firmly towards deep square leg. It goes straight to the fielder, but the Australian openers are sharp between the wickets and hustle back for two. Early intent from the pair, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Time for action - The national anthems of both countries have been sung and we are ready for action. The Netherlands team is in a huddle. Just a few minutes ago, the pair of Babette de Leede and Robine Rijke were given special mementoes for playing their 100th WT20I today. With smiles on their faces, the Orange team disperses. Now, the opening pair of the Women In Green - Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll - stride out to the middle. Conditions would need to be respected, especially with both of them not quite having hit their stride yet. It will be Iris Zwilling to kickstart proceedings. We have a packed off side field, but no catchers, surprisingly. Have got a couple of fielders on the leg side. Mooney to face. Here we go!

National anthems time - Time for the hair-standing-on-end moment. Massive and proud moment for everyone featuring in this game, as the national anthems will be sung. The Dutch stride out, smiling, thankful to the heavens for giving them an opportunity to be here. It will be their national anthem played first. Alongside them, it is the Aussies, looking confident but a massive moment nevertheless, for them as well. Everytime a national anthem is sung or played, the country's resident has a different feeling of energy and vibe flowing within.

Here to show something - That is the aim of Netherlands' senior ROBINE RIJKE, as she gives a candid interview to Aussie legend Matthew Hayden. On her playing her 100th WT20I, Rijke says that it is an unbelievable experience playing Australia. Adds that one doesn't get to do this everyday, so it is pretty exciting. Adds that 100 T20Is feel like a lot. Reminds us that Babette de Leede, her skipper, is also playing her 100th WT20I, and also the fact that the two have been playing for a long time and haven't missed a game for around 12 YEARS. Haydos brings her to the reality, informing her about Netherlands' position (indirectly stating that this is like a must-win game for them) and politely asks her how can they get better. To this, Robine replies saying that Australia are an amazing unit teams skills wise and consistency wise. Stresses that it is amazing for the Dutch to be at the World Cup, and that was their biggest goal, but now, they want to aim bigger. RR details that they want to show the world that they can do well with multiple careers, that is, be a professional and also play cricket and also study. Asserts that they are here to show something and not just be here. Hopes to get some wickets and runs and inspire some people in Netherlands to take up cricket as a sport and profession.

Keep the length full - That is the advice of White Ferns legend Katey Martin who is doing the PITCH REPORT. First up though, it is Alan Wilkins who has a look at the conditions. Informs that it is a pleasant day, with the temperature reading 20 degrees Celsius. Notes that it is overcast but is pretty confident that it will not rain today. Next, he looks at the ground dimensions and informs that on one side of the ground, the dimensions read 71 metres straight, while on the other side, it is just 55. On the sides, the dimensions are more or less equally spaced, reading 62 and 63 metres. Now, Martin has a look at the deck and informs us that it is the same wicket where New Zealand played Ireland last night. Notes that the groundstaff has shaved a level of grass off the surface. As per Katey, the reason they did that could be the fact that the conditions are already suitable for swing bowling, hence maybe the groundstaff did not want to add much grass to the already helpful conditions. Katey remembers that there was plenty of swing last night, so she reckons that if the pacers can keep the ball full, they can generate plenty of movement.

Looking to set the tone -  Sophie Molineux, the Australian captain, says it is a good opportunity for Australia to go out there and set the tone. She mentions that they chased in the previous game, so it is nice to change things up this time. Adds that the pitch looks really good and, based on how it played the previous night, she believes there are plenty of runs on offer. Molineux also confirms that Australia have made two changes to the side with Ashleigh Gardner and Lucy Hamilton coming into the XI. She says Lucy Hamilton will be playing her first World Cup game and highlights her pace, adding that she runs in hard and that the team is looking forward to seeing her in action today.

Conditions will suit the Dutch - The skipper of Netherlands Women, Babette De Leede, on being asked about her reason to bowl first, replies saying that she thinks that the conditions will suit the Dutch pacers and hopes to get something out of the wicket early. On playing her 100th WT20I, De Leede says it is amazing. Adds that it feels very special and to do that against the best side in the world makes it even more incredible. On the plans for today, Babette reflects that Netherlands played good cricket against India and Bangladesh but have not been at their best yet. Hopes that they can align everything today and play their best cricket. On the team news, the skipper informs that Netherlands have gone in with the same team which played the last match.

Australia Women (Playing XI) - Beth Mooney (WK), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner (In for Grace Harris), Georgia Wareham, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (C), Kim Garth, Alana King and Lucy Hamilton (In for Megan Schutt).

Netherlands Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede (C) (WK), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Myrthe van den Raad, Silver Siegers, Caroline de Lange and Isabel Van Der Woning.

Stick or twist? Time for the toss. The coin is ready, the captains are in the middle, and there is a trend lurking in the background. Out of the four Women's T20 World Cup matches played at Southampton so far, three have been won by the side chasing. The lone successful defence came only last night, when New Zealand huffed and puffed their way past Ireland. It is a decent sample size, and enough to give captains something to ponder.  Will Australia and Netherlands follow the script that has worked here so far, or will one of them buck the trend and back themselves to set the pace? Sophie Molineux, the Australian captain, and Babette de Leede, the captain of Netherlands, are in position, and we are moments away from finding out which way the coin will fall. The Dutch team gets lucky with the toss and... Netherlands elect to bowl first!

Approaching milestones - There is plenty more than just two vital points on the line today. While Australia and the Netherlands prepare to meet for the very first time in women's T20I cricket, a number of individual landmarks are also set to be celebrated. For Australia, Ellyse Perry is poised to become the first player in history to feature in 50 ICC Women's T20 World Cup matches, another remarkable addition to a career that already ranks among the greatest the game has seen. The Netherlands camp has milestones of its own to savour. Robine Rijke and captain Babette de Leede are both set to make their 100th T20I appearances, a fitting reward for two players who have been at the heart of Dutch cricket's rise on the international stage.

The stage is set... The Hampshire Bowl has already played host to some engaging contests in this tournament. The players are preparing, the anticipation is building, and supporters from around the world are settling in for the action. Wherever you are joining us from, thank you for your company. Stay with us as we bring you every twist and turn. Toss and other updates to follow... 

Irish inspiration? Last evening, at this very venue, albeit in a day-night encounter, Ireland showed that reputation counts for little once the game begins. Against all odds, they pushed defending champions New Zealand to the brink, controlling large stretches of the contest before inexperience crept in at crucial moments. They had the White Ferns reeling at 48/4 but could not finish the job, and later, despite cruising at 116/1 with a second-wicket century stand in place, they somehow fell short of the target. That performance will not have gone unnoticed in the Netherlands camp. It served as a reminder that even the biggest teams can be rattled if pressure is applied for long enough. The challenge facing the Dutch is arguably even steeper against a formidable Australian side, but if Ireland could come within touching distance of a famous upset, perhaps the Netherlands can dare to dream of a miracle of their own.

Aura meets opportunity -  Australia's dominance hardly needed an introduction, but still, we put the update about their intimidating record. Those numbers perhaps mean something different today. For a Netherlands side preparing to face Australia for the very first time in a women's T20I, the statistics are not just numbers on a page. They are a glimpse of the challenge that awaits. Whether those records are intimidating or inspiring is entirely up to the Dutch players. They can look at Australia's history and feel the weight of it, or they can view it as an opportunity to test themselves against the standard every team aspires to reach. The aura is real. What the Netherlands make of it is a decision only they can take! 

Intimidating record -  When we say intimidating, it has to be associated with only one team in this event - Australia Women. They arrive on a five-match winning streak in T20Is and have been beaten just once in their last 18 Women's T20 World Cup matches. The only blemish came in the 2024 semi-final against South Africa. Consistency has long been Australia's best friend, especially in ICC events, and the numbers continue to underline why they remain the benchmark in world cricket.

World Cup stories - One of the great joys of a World Cup is that every match has the potential to produce a story that nobody saw coming. A young player can announce herself on the global stage, an established star can add another chapter to an already glittering career, or a team can create a moment that becomes part of its cricketing folklore. The beauty lies in not knowing which of those stories is loading just around the corner.

Second Saturday vibes - Welcome to Southampton for what promises to be another fascinating day at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. We are now into the second Saturday of the tournament, a point where the opening excitement has started to give way to something even more compelling. Teams have revealed their strengths, exposed a few vulnerabilities, and every result now carries a little extra weight as the race for the knockout spots begins to gather momentum.

... MATCH DAY ...

David vs Goliath - Six-time champions against first-timers. Australia against the Netherlands. At the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, it is a meeting of the most successful side in the tournament's history and a team making its first appearance on this stage. On paper, this is one of the most lopsided matchups of the tournament, but that is precisely what makes it special. It is a reflection of how far the women's game has come that a nation still finding its feet on the global stage gets to share the same stage as the most decorated side in its history. Australia mean business - No longer the holders of either the ODI World Cup or the T20 World Cup, the Sophie Molineux-led unit has made an early statement about their intent to reclaim the crown. That was particularly evident in their opening win over South Africa, the very side that knocked them out in the semifinals of the previous edition. Australia's first two games have come at different venues, and having made the trip from Leeds to Southampton, they will now head back to Leeds before taking on Pakistan in what has been a hectic travel schedule. Depth on display - The batting unit did not have much to do against Bangladesh, with only 78 to chase, but it was tested against South Africa. On that occasion, their depth came to the fore as contributions from different batters helped pull them out of trouble, with Phoebe Litchfield standing out. Talking of Litchfield, she missed the Bangladesh game due to a quad issue and is expected to sit out at least two more matches before a potential return for the final group-stage fixture against India. Bowling riches - With the ball, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham have led the way so far, though the Aussies have also benefited from contributions across the bowling unit. Ashleigh Gardner missed the previous game with a sprained ankle, and while she could be available for selection, Australia may err on the side of caution given the tougher assignments that lie ahead. An occasion to remember - The Dutch faced the ODI champions, India, in their previous game, and now come up against arguably an even sterner challenge in Australia. It is a chance to test themselves against the very best and create memories that could inspire the next generation back home. With many of their players balancing cricket with careers outside the sport, opportunities to face a side of Australia's stature do not come around often. The batting challenge - The only Dutch fifty of the tournament so far has come from skipper Babette de Leede, but if they are to put up a strong showing with the bat, they will need contributions from the likes of Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer and Sterre Kalis. Kalis was the Netherlands' leading run-scorer in the Global Qualifier and also brings valuable experience from her time in The Women's Hundred. A work in progress - On the bowling front, the Netherlands have shown plenty of promise. They pushed Bangladesh and also had their moments against India. Fielding is one area they will be keen to improve, and against a side as ruthless as Australia, they can ill afford to offer extra opportunities. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - AUS-W - WWWWW | NED-W - LLLLW. What to expect? In the first three games at Southampton, all were won by the side chasing. The hybrid surfaces have offered something for everyone, reflected in the wicket split of 14 for the pacers and 16 for the spinners. There could be a bit of rain around early in the morning, which may provide the seamers with some assistance up front.