Womens T20 World Cup 2026

FOUR! Done and dusted in style. Australia Women qualify for the Grand Finale! Length ball, angled into the pads. Gardner gets that strong bottom hand working and whips it uppishly behind square, finding the gap to the right of deep square leg with ease to wrap up the chase with absolute ease. The Aussies win the semifinal by 8 wickets and 7 overs to spare. Sheer dominance in each and every department. High-fives and smiles all around in the Australian dugout as they have done it yet again, making an absolute stroll of an under-par target.

Short of a length and pitching outside leg. Mooney backs away and drags it across towards deep backward square leg for a single. 3 runs needed!

No Ball! Aaliyah Alleyne bowls from way behind the crease and her right leg clips the stumps at the bowling end on her follow-through. An off-pace delivery on the stumps, Gardner waits for it and chips it back over the bowler's head for a run. Free Hit coming up.

FOUR! Elegantly played! A half-volley, around off. Ashleigh Gardner gets under it nicely and pumps it over mid off for a boundary. Into single figures now. Just a matter of one big hit as Australia need 6 runs to win.

Slips a full toss on the pads. Ashleigh Gardner sits across to sweep. Misses and the ball deflects off the pads to deep fine leg. Two leg byes.

Full on the pads, whipped behind square on the leg side and they stroll through for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Ashleigh Gardner crunches it away to deep cover for a single.

Slowish, on middle, Ashleigh Gardner tucks it to mid-wicket for a quick single. Just 14 more runs needed now.

Tossed up, on off, Beth Mooney knocks it down to long on for a single.

Flatter, on off, Beth Mooney looks to drive it but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards backward square leg as the batters collect two runs.

Nice and full, on off, Ashleigh Gardner drills it down to long on for one more.

Fired in, full and on off, Beth Mooney steps out and taps it wide of mid off for another single.

Fullish, on middle, Ashleigh Gardner flicks it over backward square leg for a single.

Karishma Ramharack (1-0-10-0) is brought back into the attack. She replaces Afy Fletcher.

Short, on middle, Ashleigh Gardner tugs it awkwardly towards short fine leg, where Qiana Joseph dives to her left and keeps it down to a single. Just 21 runs are needed now to book a spot in the final for the Aussies.

Full and straight, Beth Mooney pushes it to mid off for a single.

FOUR! The onslaught continues from Beth Mooney! Full and outside off, Beth Mooney reaches out to it and slashes it through backward point. Deandra Dottin dives to her right near the fence but fails to stop it as the ball races away. 100 comes up for Australia Women.

Flatter, on middle, Ashleigh Gardner flicks it to mid-wicket for one more.

Fifty up for Beth Mooney in 29 balls! Bangs it short, on off, Beth Mooney pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. Ian Smith on air mentions that this is her 8th T20 World Cup half century, which is the joint-highest with Suzie Bates. Simply brilliant from the Aussie opener.

Tossed up, outside off, Beth Mooney slashes it to backward point.

Hayley Matthews (2-0-15-1) is back.

Fullish, on middle and leg, Beth Mooney knocks it down to long on for a run. She moves to 49 now.

Slowish, on middle, Beth Mooney tucks it through square leg for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

A bit short, on off, Ashleigh Gardner drills it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! They are in a hurry now! Slower through the air, outside off, Ashleigh Gardner shimmies down the track and goes over extra cover for a boundary. She is toying with the field here.

SIX! That goes the distance! Tossed up, on off, Ashleigh Gardner takes a step forward and launches it high and back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

A touch short, on off, Ashleigh Gardner punches it to cover.

Two wides! Sways it down leg, Beth Mooney looks to play a reverse sweep but misses. The keeper fails to stop it as the batters cross.

Nice and full, outside off, Ashleigh Gardner moves across and knocks it down to mid off. A dot to end the over. Australia Women are 81/2 at the end of 9 overs. They need 45 from the remaining 11 overs now.

Two wides! Way down the leg side, Beth Mooney looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to catch it as the ball rolls towards short fine leg. They cross.

A tad fuller, outside off, Beth Mooney makes room and slashes it to the fielder at backward point.

Angling in, on off, Ashleigh Gardner pushes it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Hard length and outside off, Ashleigh Gardner rocks onto her back foot and drills it powerfully through the right of backward point for a boundary.

A slower one, on leg, Beth Mooney pulls it gently towards mid-wicket for a single.

Too full from Aaliyah Alleyne, outside off, Beth Mooney drives it to the fielder at cover, who dives to her right and makes a good stop. Dot.

Flat and short on the stumps. Beth goes deep in the crease and steers it along the ground for a single at deep backward square leg.

Drifts one on the pads, on a length. Gardner plays off the back foot and nudges it gently to deep mid-wicket. Easy single again.

Excellent running! Slower through the air, full on the leg stump. Beth Mooney paddles it behind to Qiana Joseph at short fine leg and calls Gardner through for a quick single.

Too full on the pads, Beth Mooney whips it off the front foot to the deep mid-wicket region and they hustle back for the second.

WIDE! Flatter and fuller, but down the leg side. Beth Mooney goes for a sweep, but misses to connect. The keeper collects the ball by moving a bit to her right.

Floated up, full on middle, sliding in. Ashleigh Gardner skips down the track and drills it along the turf to long off for a run.

Short and outside off, Ashleigh Gardner rocks back and punches it to the left of long off for a couple of easy runs.

Well, what has happened here? Ellyse Perry has walked off the field with the physio. Not sure what the issue is about. Australia will hope it is nothing serious. Ashleigh Gardner replaces her. A change in bowling as Afy Fletcher comes on.

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

Chance? Did that carry? Fuller from Aaliyah, around off, perhaps the slower one. Ellyse Perry mistimes the shot and chips it low down the strip. Aaliyah Alleyne dives to her right on the follow-through, but the ball yorks her fingers and deflects away to mid-wicket for a single.

Make that five dots! Slower one, full and outside off. Perry sees the width and tries to thrash that through covers, but plays the wrong line and is beaten on the inside edge.

Around off and full. Perry whips it off the pads to short mid-wicket. Four dots in a row!

Short and outside off, Perry slaps it straight to Qiana Joseph at cover.

Similar length and line. Perry stands tall and cuts it again to Stafanie Taylor at backward point. She fumbles a bit to her left but the ball stays in her vicinity.

Length-delivery, outside off. Perry hangs back and cuts it hard, but straight to the fielder at backward point.

DRINKS BREAK! The Aussies remain firmly in the driver’s seat at 63 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay. Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield have both been sent back to the dugout, but Beth Mooney has looked absolutely flawless, cruising to 41 off just 19 balls. The Aussies just need 63 runs in the remaining 14 overs now. The Windies are staring down the barrel and will be desperate for a quick cluster of wickets just to drag this game deep. Let's see how it pans out.

FOUR! Easily done! Back of a length, wide outside off. Beth Mooney rocks back and guides the ball into the deep third region for a boundary. That's a massive over for Australia. 18 runs off it.

Attacks the pads, on a length. Beth Mooney tickles it fine on the leg side and they stroll back for the second run.

FOUR! It's just too easy for Mooney at the moment! Slightly fuller and outside off. Beth Mooney moves leg side and has to reach out for the shot. She opens the bat face at the point of contact and steers it through backward point for a boundary.

Back of a length, around off, Beth stands tall and punches it to cover.

FOUR! 50 up for Australia! In just 5.2 overs. Short of a length, angling into the bodyline. Beth Mooney picks the length in a trice and nails the pull shot over wide mid on. Chinelle Henry gives it a chase, but the ball wins the race.

FOUR! What a quality shot! On a back of a length, outside off. Beth Mooney backs away to give herself some room and cuts it between backward point and cover for a cracking boundary. She moves to 27 (14).

5 overs done and Australia Women are 45/2. They need 81 runs from 90 balls now. Jahzara Claxton comes into the attack.

Length ball around the leg stump. Mooney lunges forward and works it with soft hands to the short mid-wicket region for a single.

Short and quick, spinning from middle to leg. Ellyse Perry tucks it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single to open her account.

What a review from Hayley Matthews. Phoebe Litchfield falls for 4 runs. Ellyse Perry walks in to bat now.

OUT! LBW! Excellent review by Matthews and the dangerous Litchfield falls without much impact this time. This is flatter on a fuller length, drifting it in around middle. Phoebe Litchfield premeditates and plays the reverse, but seems to have been beaten on the under edge before she is rapped on the front pad. Half an appeal for LBW, but not given. Matthews goes upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows a flat line. Ball Tracking shows impact in line with the stumps, and it is projected to crash into the middle and leg stumps. An important wicket for West Indies in the Powerplay. Australia Women are 43/2.

Dangles it wide outside off, on a fuller length. Phoebe Litchfield again jumps out of the crease, reaches out and smashes it to deep cover. Aaliyah Alleyne gets across, dives and cuts it off in the deep. They cross twice.

Seeing Mooney charge forward, Matthews darts it in, and drags the length back, on the stumps. Beth Mooney pats it to the right of mid off for an easy single.

Too full from Matthews from around the stump, on off. Phoebe Litchfield advances down the track and carves it to the right of cover for a single.

Speared in at the pads, Litchfield shimmies down the track and nurdles it behind square leg for a single to open her account.

Skidding through, on a good length, on off. Phoebe Litchfield punches it to cover.

Fired in towards the left-hander. Shorter and on middle. Mooney walks inside the line to paddle it fine. Gets hit on the pads, and it goes to the left of short line leg. They cross. Oh, given as a run, so there might have been an inside edge.

FOUR! Good use of the feet. Flighted delivery, outside off. Mooney dances down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball. She goes inside out over extra cover to pick up the second boundary of the over.

On the off stump, on a length. Beth blocks it out.

FOUR! Gets it through. Floated up, around the off stump. Mooney makes room for herself by backing away. She plays a slightly uppish drive but in the gap to the right of extra cover for a boundary.

Great comeback by Henry. But the problem for West Indies is that Australia bat very deep and they will have to keep picking wickets regularly. Phoebe Litchfield walks in at number 3. Also, a bowling change as Karishma Ramharack is called into the attack, replacing Hayley Matthews.

OUT! TIMBER! Georgia Voll tries to repeat the dose but instead hears the death rattle. A well-disguised slower one by Henry, on middle, very full. Voll reaches out in front with a straight bat to go downtown, but the ball dips on her and sneaks under the vertical willow of hers before crashing into the stumps. Australia are 29/1, chasing 126.

FOUR! Up and over the ropes. Henry serves it fuller, angled in, on middle. Voll presses forward and with a clean swing of the arms, she launches it over mid on.

Hits the top of off, Voll punches it to cover.

FOUR! Nicely done. At 107.5 kph, on a good length, targeting the off pole. Voll is aware that the deep fine leg fielder is a lot squarer. She shuffles across, stays front-on and scoops it down to long leg for a boundary.

Pushes the length up, on middle. Mooney firms the drive in front of mid on and charges across to the other end.

Hurls it full, on middle. Mooney shimmies down the track and backs away to open the up off side. She gets low to go over cover-point. The deep point fielder gets around to her left and tidies up. A couple for Beth.

Loopy ball, on leg. Voll gets down on a knee but misses. It catches the left boot of the keeper and goes nowhere. Wide not given, so that might have brushed something. Well, well, the UltraEdge shows a nick and it actually clipped the gloves of the keeper before dropping to the ground.

This is short and quick, on middle. Mooney mistimes the pull wide of square leg and takes a quick single.

A bit of turn back into the pads, on a length. Georgia Voll clips it wide of square leg and rotates the strike.

A run saved. Pushed through, on a nagging length, on middle. Mooney gets on her toes and gets inside the line to tickle it fine. Afy Fletcher gives it a long chase and dives to prevent the ball from touching the ropes. Three runs taken.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Matthews errs in her length as she drops it a bit too short, on middle. Mooney rocks back on the pull and there is a bit of lift off the deck. She adjusts by checking her shot and plays it over square leg for her first boundary.

Starts from around the wicket and tosses it up, very full, outside off. Mooney reaches out and squeezes it out to backward point, where Stafanie Taylor gets low to her right ot make the stop.

Productive start for Australia. They need 117 runs from 114 balls. Hayley Matthews will bowl from the opposite end.

Bowled into the surface, over off. Mooney turns it to the left of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

On a back of a length, on middle. Voll tucks it wide of mid-wicket and hurries to the other end.

SIX! Enough of ball watching, says Voll. Henry goes full in search of swing but ends up serving it a bit too full, on middle. Georgia keeps a still head, collapses her back knee and clubs it over mid-wicket. The ball lands on the boundary cushions on the full.

Attacks the stumps, on a good length. Voll stabs it down the strip with a straight bat.

Fuller now, on middle. Voll wrists it off the front foot to mid-wicket.

Wide! Drags the length back and this swings beyond the tramline. Georgia lets it be. Australia are underway with this extra.

Starts with an inswinger and bowls it full. Voll does not move her feet much and knocks it to mid on.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A wicket on the final ball of the innings. West Indies finish on 125/7. Sutherland spots Glasgow move away towards the leg side, and she follows her with a good-length ball. It is that back-of-the-hand slower one. Jannillea has a heave across the line. The ball catches the outside edge and balloons behind, where the keeper, Beth Mooney, takes the catch diving to her left.

Slanting in at the pads, on a good length. Dottin has a swing across the line but fails to connect. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes away on the off side off the pads.

Fuller and on off, Dottin drills it to extra cover. A couple of yards to either side and it would have been a boundary.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! 9 runs off the first half of the over. Sutherland digs it in short, on off. Dottin arches back and gets the pace to work with. She gets under the ball and plays the upper cut over short third for four more.

FOUR! That sounded so sweet. A bit into the surface, it is the back-of-the-hand slower one, on top of off. Dottin hops on the back foot and backs away to slam it to the right of extra cover. It races away in a flash.

Pace off ball, at the sticks. Glasgow loses her shape as she swings away on the leg side. Mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for one.

31 runs from the last 3 overs for West Indies with two back-to-back overs in double digits. Can they finish off strongly here? Say, 130-135-ish? Let's find out. Annabel Sutherland (2-0-17-0) will bowl the final over.

FOUR! Good manipulation of the field. Darted in from around the wicket, on a good length, on middle. Dottin knows that square leg is up inside the crease. She stays deep in the crease and walks inside the line of the ball. Shovels it up and over the square leg fielder for a four.

On a good length, sliding across. Glasgow steps out and smacks it to long off for one.

Shorter and flatter, on middle. Dottin is tucked up for room. She heaves it off the upper half of the bat to deep mid-wicket. Just a single.

Tries to keep it away from the batter's hitting arc. Full and near the tramline on off. Dottin throws her hands at the ball. One hand comes off the bat handle but gets it over point for a brace.

Molineux spots Glasgow backing away and she follows her and also drags the length back.  Jannillea hits it back past the bowler for one.

Fired in, on middle and leg. Glasgow clears the front leg and swats it away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

West Indies have got a bit of a momentum in the last 2 overs, adding 20 runs. Can they get past 120? That still won't be enough, but will be something to fight for. Sophie Molineux (3-0-19-2) will bowl the penultimate.

Leg bye! Landing outside the line of the leg stump, bowled on a length. Glasgow is caught in her crease while attempting the flick. It goes away off the pads on the off side for a leg bye. 13 runs off the over, the most expensive of the innings.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. Garth switches to over the wicket and pushes it across the left-hander. Full and it is the off-pace delivery. Jannillea Glasgow extends her hands and powers the drive. Ellyse Perry does not have much distance to cover at long off, but she is still beaten to her right. 12 runs off the over with a ball to go.

Fuller and just outside the off stump, at pace. Glasgow looks to force the drive away but is beaten for pace.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, Glasgow fails to help it away.

In the air....but safe. Garth comes from around the wicket for the left-hander and bowls the leg-cutter, on a length, outside off. Glasgow tries to go down the ground but is early into the shot. She gets the height but not the distance. Ellyse Perry backtracks at mid off but the ball drops out of her reach. Two runs taken.

Takes pace off, fuller and wider on off. Dottin shanks it off the inner half to long on for a run.

FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Into the surface, over off. Dottin is cramped for room but she hops and arches back to flay it over backward point for her first four.

Ashleigh Gardner ends her spell with figures of (4-0-13-2). Kim Garth returns.

Drops it a bit short, on middle. Dottin drops it in front of square on the leg side and keeps the strike with a single.

Drifting in at the pads, a bit fuller. Glasgow clears the front leg and smears it to wide long on. They cross.

Flatter and on a good length. Dottin nudges it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Drags the length back and this is slower, on off. Dottin works it with the spin to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Sliding in at the pads, a bit fuller. Glasgow nurdles it behind square leg for a run.

Angled in at the pads, on a length. Dottin pushes it to long on for a single.

16 overs done and West Indies Women are reeling at 84/6. Ashleigh Gardner (3-0-6-2) is back on.

Too full, on middle, Deandra Dottin carves it to Sophie Molineux at cover and calls her partner through for a single. Sophie is quick to release the throw to the keeper, but Jannillea gets home safely. Risky single, though.

Flat and short, on off. Dottin makes room to force it away but misses.

Full on the stumps, gently pushed back to the bowler.

Here comes Deandra Dottin. After being helped off before the start of play, it looked highly unlikely that she would feature. She is greeted by a warm round of applause from the crowd.

OUT! TAKEN BY PERRY! No heroics from Campbelle this time around. She did get a start, but falls at a crucial time. Flighted and tossed up around the fourth stump, turning away. Campbelle comes down the track and looks to loft it over the mid off fielder, but cannot quite get under the ball nicely and hits it off the toe end. Chips it away and Perry dives to her right and pouches a good low catch right on the edge of the circle. The procession continues for West Indies as they are 83/6.

Leg break, full on middle. Shemaine Campbelle drives it away to mid off.

FOUR! Up and over! Overpitched by Wareham, outside off. Shemaine Campbelle shimmies down the track and smashes it over mid off to pick up a boundary.

Georgia Wareham (2-0-12-1) returns.

Dropped fuller, on off, Shemaine Campbelle scuffs it down to long on for a single.

Serves it full and on middle, Shemaine Campbelle sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. Good work there by Nicola Carey as she dives to her right and saves a couple of runs for her side.

Spins in from a length, Jannillea Glasgow rocks back and works it wide of cover for a single.

Untidy. Floated up, on off. Shemaine Campbelle reaches out and firms the drive to cover. A fumble there allows the batters to take a single.

Full around off, Glasgow drives it to deep extra cover for a single.

Out goes Chinelle Henry and in walks Jannillea Glasgow. Deandra Dottin is padded up in the dugout and appears ready to bat despite the injury scare before the start of play.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! The Aussies are proving too hot to handle for the Windies. Sophie gives a good bit of flight on this one and floats it up into the slot to lure the batter into a big shot. Chinelle Henry takes the bait. Drops down on a knee and tries to smack it down the ground, but she gets no timing whatsoever. Slices it off the toe end. The shot has no power to clear the fence, and Annabel Sutherland runs to her left from long on to take a fine running catch. West Indies Women are 73/5 after 14.1 overs.

DRINKS BREAK! West Indies are going nowhere with this innings. They are still searching for that spark to inject some momentum, but Australia have simply not allowed them to get going. The bowlers have used the conditions expertly, whether it be the seamers or the spinners. More importantly, they have made the Windies batters generate all the power on this surface and have not offered them any pace to work with. Adding to the Women in Maroon's troubles is the potential unavailability of Deandra Dottin, who was seen being helped off the field by her teammates before the start of play. Sophie Molineux brings herself on after the break. 2-0-13-1 so far for the Aussie skipper.

Off-pace delivery, full and outside off. Chinelle Henry gets forward and drags it down to long on for just a single. 7 runs off the over.

Mixing it up really well, is Sutherland! At pace, short on top of off. Chinelle Henry is hurried into the pull shot. Swings through but connects with nothing but a handful of thin air.

Shortish and on the leg stump. Shemaine Campbelle swivels and pulls it off the top edge towards square leg for a single.

Trying to be cheeky! Another slower delivery, full and on off. Shemaine Campbelle shuffles a bit and tries to play the scoop shot. But the ball arrives late and she is months early into the shot. Gets it off the toe end and the ball pops and drops in front of the bowler.

Slower one, full on middle and leg. Chinelle Henry clips it towards square leg for a single.

FOUR! Uppish, but through the gap! Hits the back of a length, outside off. Chinelle Henry stands tall and slaps it a bit aerially. Ashleigh Gardner puts in a dive to her right, but it just stays out of her reach and races to the fence.

Pace back on through Annabel Sutherland. She conceded 10 runs in her opening over.

Short and wide now, outside off. Shemaine Campbelle hangs back, cuts it hard, but cannot pierce the point gap.

Decision upheld! This is pushed through, full and turning in from off. Campbelle gets drawn forward and tries to work it to the leg side, but plays over it, and the ball seems to have gotten a little bit of an inside edge before she gets rapped on the front pad. A massive appeal for LBW from the Aussies, but not given. Mooney and Molineux walk towards Gardner, who looks very confident, and after a chat, Australia opt for a review, challenging the on-field decision. UltraEdge, though, saves Shemaine, as there is a clear spike when the ball is next to the bat. Australia lose a review.

Review time. That looked pretty close but not given by the umpire. If there is no bat, then Shemaine Campbelle could be gone here.

Flat and full, around off, Chinelle Henry drills it off the front foot towards mid off for a quick single.

Short on off, Chinelle Henry presses back and punches it to short cover.

Floated fuller on middle. Shemaine Campbelle advances down the pitch and clips it to the widish mid-wicket region for a single.

Off break, on a length, turns in. Chinelle Henry hangs back and chops it to the right of cover for a single.

Direct hit, but Shemaine Campbelle is safe! Full and straight, Chinelle Henry pushes at the ball with hard hands. It goes off an inside edge wide of square leg. There is a mix-up in the middle, but they decide to take the single. A bit of indecision from Kim Garth at which end to throw, and eventually she has a shy at the batting end. She scores a direct hit, but that split second taken before throwing allowed Campbelle to get home.

Flighted up, on leg, Shemaine Campbelle steps out and knocks it to mid on for a single.

Nice and full, on the stumps, Shemaine Campbelle plays the reverse sweep but straight to the fielder at backward point.

Around off, on a length, Shemaine Campbelle punches it to cover-point.

A bit short, on leg, Chinelle Henry makes room and punches it to cover for a single.

Tossed up, on middle, Shemaine Campbelle slogs it over mid-wicket for a single.

Georgia Wareham (1-0-8-1) is back on, replacing Sophie Molineux. There is still no official update regarding Deandra Dottin. Seems highly unlikely that she will come to bat.

Beaten! Short and wide, quicker through the air, Chinelle Henry looks to slap it but misses.

Australia are bossing it up now and have their foot on the throat of the opponents. Chinelle Henry walks in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ashleigh Gardner is putting on a show here. Flighted up, outside off, with some turn on it. Jahzara Claxton shimmies down the track and winds up for a big shot. She ends up getting too close to the ball, and as a result, she does not get the desired elevation. Hits it flat towards Sophie Molineux at cover, who takes a good catch at shoulder height. West Indies Women are in deep trouble now.

Fired in, on off, Jahzara Claxton flicks it to mid-wicket.

Too full, on off, Jahzara Claxton blocks it back to the bowler.

The slide continues. West Indies slip further from 47/0 to 59/3 and are in heaps of trouble now. Jahzara Claxton is in at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! That's a soft dismissal. Ashleigh Gardner slows it up, on middle, with a bit of turn. Stafanie Taylor rocks back and looks to flick it, but the ball holds in the surface and also stays low. It pops up off a leading edge towards Kim Garth at mid-wicket, who makes no mistake. West Indies Women are 59/3 after 10.2 overs.

Flighted up, outside off, Shemaine Campbelle moves forward and taps it to mid on for a single.

Halfway reached. Australia are tighetning the screws here. 35/0 in the Powerplay, and just 23/2 in the next 4 overs for West Indies. They need to launch now as they are still going below run a ball on a decent batting track. Ashleigh Gardner is brought back into the attack. 1-0-2-0 so far. She replaces Georgia Wareham.

Drops it short, on off, Shemaine Campbelle rocks back and pushes it to mid on for a single.

Flighted up, on off, Shemaine Campbelle plays a reverse sweep to the fielder at backward point. Dot.

Full and slow, outside off. Shemaine Campbelle shimmies down the track and eases it back to Sophie.

Short, on off, Shemaine Campbelle fends it to the left of the bowler.

Two wides! Down the leg side, Stafanie Taylor looks to flick it but misses. Beth Mooney moves to her left, but the ball keeps low and clips her pads. It rolls fine as the batters cross.

Beaten! Slowish, outside off, Stafanie Taylor looks to punch it but misses.

Well, that was a struggle for Qiana all the way through. 47/0 becomes 55/2 for West Indies with both openers gone. Stafanie Taylor, the veteran, is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! End of a scratchy stay from Qiana Joseph. Slightly slower one from Sophie Molineux, on off, with a hint of turn. Qiana Joseph gets down on one knee and looks to play the slog sweep. She hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket. Ashleigh Gardner completes the catch around her waist. West Indies Women are 55/2 after 9.1 overs.

Sophie Molineux is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far. She replaces Annabel Sutherland.

Too full, on off, Shemaine Campbelle digs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A good start from Shemaine Campbelle! Short and wide again, Shemaine Campbelle latches onto it this time and slaps it in the gap through cover-point as the ball races away.

Short and wide, Shemaine Campbelle looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back to the bowler.

FOUR! That was much-needed for the West Indies Women! Georgia Wareham errs it down leg, Shemaine Campbelle gets low and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

Too full, on middle, Shemaine Campbelle blocks it to the right of the bowler.

Perfect start for Wareham. It's not the wicket West Indies wanted to fall. Shemaine Campbelle is the new batter in at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Georgia Wareham comes into the attack and gets the West Indies' skipper. A quicker one through the air, on middle, with a slight bit of turn. Hayley Matthews moves completely to her off side and exposes all three stumps. She tries to paddle it over short fine leg but misses it completely as the ball rattles over the middle pole. West Indies Women are 47/1 after 8.1 overs.

Georgia Wareham is introduced into the attack. Australia's bowling option number 6. She replaces Ashleigh Gardner.

Sticks to the pace off option, full and on off. Joseph presents a straight bat to loft it over mid off. She does not quite get hold of it but manages to come back for the second run before the throw arrives at the keeper.

SIX! Qiana Joseph finally gets one away. Is this the shot that gets Joseph going? Slower ball, fuller in length, on off. Joseph presses forward, collapses her back knee and launches it over long on with a straight bat.

Connects with thin air. Angled across, on a length. Joseph has a swing across the line but misses as the ball goes under the blade.

Top edge but safe. Banged in short, over the left shoulder. Matthews walks inside the line for the pull but the ball gets big on her. It goes more off a top edge behind square leg. Nicola Carey sprints to her right and gets low to mop it up. She lobs it towards the converging Kim Garth. Just a single.

Keeps the stumps in play, on a nagging length. Matthews pushes it to mid on.

Going away, on a good length. Joseph taps it wide of cover and crosses over.

Excellent start from Ashleigh Gardner. Just 2 runs off the over. Annabel Sutherland comes into the attack now.

No way through. A bit shorter than the previous ball, on off. Matthews rides the bounce to play the cut but picks out the point fielder.

Fractionally short, outside off. Matthews goes for the cut but misses.

Full and attacking the front pad. Matthews clips it to mid-wicket.

PUT DOWN! Georgia Voll shells it. From around the wicket, flighted delivery, outside off. Joseph gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep. She absolutely picks the bones out of it. Voll at deep mid-wicket is not entirely on the fence and takes a step or two towards the ropes. She gets her hands high over her head to take the catch but can't hold on. It drops beside her, and the batters cross over.

This is a bit fuller and spins back in at the pads. Hayley nudges it through square leg for a single.

Rapped on the pads! Not given but that was sliding down leg. Pushed through, on a good length, on middle and leg. Matthews presses back to clip it away but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads.

DRINKS BREAK! West Indies Women are 35 for no loss at the end of Powerplay. Hayley Matthews has been good with the bat, but Qiana Joseph is having a hard time in the middle. She has just scored 6 runs from 16 balls. Australia Women have failed to pick any wickets in the Powerplay, but they will be happy with how things have panned out so far. They will try to pick wickets now and put more pressure on the West Indies Women batters. Let's see how it goes. Ashleigh Gardner comes into the attack now.

DROPPED! Not the easiest of chances, but Australia needed that to be converted. Back of a length, sliding in at the hips. Matthews swivels and pulls it to get it behind square leg. Hits it flat towards short fine leg, where Lucy Hamilton is a bit late to react. She dives to her left but can't cling on. A single taken by Hayley to keep the strike.

Another ball that is angled across, on a length. Qiana reaches out and carves it over for just a single.

It is the back-of-the-hand slower one, near the tramline. It would have been a wide had Joseph left it, but she ends up stabbing it down on the off side. Qiana has a wry smile on her face.

Swinging back in at the pads, on a good length. Joseph tries to shovel it away but misses. Beth Mooney dives to her right and parries to short third. There was a deflection of the pads and Mooney did well there to make the stop.

Big inswinger on a fullish length, Hayley Matthews ticks it to the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! Slightly short and shaping away on off. Hayley Matthews stays put with the keeper up to the stumps and skilfully steers the ball wide of the first slip fielder for a boundary. A much-needed boundary for West Indies.

Another swing and a miss. In and around the off stump, on a length. Joseph clears the front leg and has a swipe across the line but is beaten on the inside edge. Just 3 runs off the last 2 overs. Pressure building on West Indies.

Three dots in a row. Joseph is really struggling. Slower and fuller, wider as well. Joseph reaches out and drags it to mid on.

A loud shout for caught behind, but turned down. Sophie Molineux has a word with the keeper and the bowler but eventually decides against the review. Dug in short, over middle. Joseph gets her hands high for the hook but misses. The ball did seem to deviate on its way to the keeper but the UltraEdge confirms that there was no bat or glove involved.

Pace off now, on a length, outside off. Joseph has a hoick across the line but chops it down off an inside edge and it rolls to short fine leg.

Does not carry! Pushed across the right-hander, on the fuller side. Matthews dances down the track and swings at it. Slices it off the outer half and it is skied towards deep point. Ashleigh Gardner charges in off the ropes and puts in a dive but the ball drops short. The ball catches her on the body and does not go past her. Single taken.

Slightly too straight, on a back of a length, on the pads. Matthews misses out on the glance and wears it on the pads.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Hayley Matthews tucks it through mid-wicket for an easy single.

At 111 kph, short and outside off. Hayley Matthews shuffles outside off and tries to play the pull shot, or perhaps the scoop shot, but the ball just kicks up off the surface. Arrives at an awkward height and hits the shoulder of her bat. Hayley cautiously resists her temptation to go through the shot and it goes to ground to the leg side. Good adjustment in the end by Matthews.

Beth Mooney is now standing up to the stumps.

A bit of an outswing on a length, around off and middle. Hayley Matthews presses back and bunts it out to the off side.

Fuller in length, on the leg stump, swinging in. Qiana Joseph backs away and heaves it off the inner half to the right of short fine leg for a single.

Just a bit short, on the off stump line. Qiana Joseph tries to whack it away, but opts to gently nudge it to mid-wicket.

Inswinger on a length, on the leg stump. Qiana Joseph turns it off the back foot towards short fine leg.

Kim Garth to continue...

Dropped short, outside off, Hayley backs away and cuts it hard, but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Touch full, on the stumps, nudged wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Short and angling in, Hayley Matthews hangs deep in the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, just short! Flights it up, full in front of the sticks. It lands and spins away. Hayley Matthews leans forward to play the flick across the line, but gets a leading edge. The ball pops up and goes on the bounce to the left of the bowler.

FOUR! Through the gap! Pitched full and around off. Hayley Matthews sits down on a knee and drags it across with the sweep shot. Plays it over Nicola Carey at square leg and picks up a boundary.

FOUR! Excellent ball, but Hayley skilfully plays that! In-angler on a fuller length, on middle. Hayley Matthews is rushed on the back foot but caresses it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Time for spin as Sophie Molineux brings herself on. Captain vs captain!

Good work in the deep by Wareham! Not all that short by Kim, on middle. Qiana Joseph lets the ball curve and then pulls it along the ground towards deep backward square leg. Georgia Wareham runs across to her left from deep square leg and puts in a timely dive to cut it off. Saves two for her team.

Back of a length with an awkward bounce, on middle and leg. Qiana Joseph fences it across to the leg side.

Length ball, outside off, nipping away. Guided through short third for a single.

FOUR! Off the edge! Fortuitous for Hayley. Australia won't mind that, though. Short of a good length, outside off, swinging away. Hayley Matthews flashes hard at it to access the off side, but gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for her, the ball beats the first slip fielder's dive to her right and the short third fielder to her left and rolls right between them towards the fence.

BEATEN! Banana swing on a fuller length, outside off. Hayley Matthews is drawn forward to play the cover drive, but the ball keeps curving away and beats the outside edge.

Back of a length, shaping away, around off. Hayley Matthews gets on top of the ball and knocks it to cover.

Kim Garth will operate from the other end.

And it will stay at 8. Attacks the stumps, full in length. Qiana Joseph prods forward and opens the bat face to angle it to backward point.

8 runs off the over so far.

WIDE! Wayward line, down leg, full in length. Qiana Joseph misses the flick and the keeper, Mooney, grabs the ball to her right.

Short and on top of middle. Hayley Matthews hangs back, gets across and tucks it into the mid-wicket region for an easy single.

Good length, angled into the bodyline. Qiana Joseph waits on it and steers it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy single. Joseph is off the mark.

Swing and a miss! Fuller one, outside off, straighter this time around. Qiana Joseph strides across to drive it through covers but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Slightly fuller and closer to the off stump this time. Shaping away from the batter. Hayley Matthews gets on the front foot and slices it behind backward point for a single.

FOUR! Off the mark straightaway. Swings away, full and outside off. Hayley Matthews leans onto it completely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Certainly a lump-in-the-throat moment for both sets of players during the singing of the national anthems. They now put those emotions behind them and get down to business. Sophie Molineux gathers her troops for one final huddle before they break away to take their positions. Hayley Matthews shares a quiet word with opening partner Qiana Joseph before the Windies pair stride out to the middle. Oh, dear, this does not look good for Deandra Dottin. She is being carried away on the sidelines by a couple of her teammates. Not known just yet what the issue is. You do wonder what sort of psychological impact that could have on West Indies even before a ball has been bowled, especially given Dottin's experience and importance to this side. Lucy Hamilton has the new ball in her hand and is raring to go. Matthews is on strike. A slip in place. Let's go...

Time for the national anthems then. The giant flags of the two countries have been rolled out. The match officials lead the way before Sophie Molineux and Hayley Matthews walk out with their respective sides. First up is the live rendition of 'Rally 'Round the West Indies' by Rodney Clarke, followed by 'Advance Australia Fair', performed by Rebecca Hart.

Australia Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (C), Kim Garth and Lucy Hamilton.

West Indies Women (Playing XI) - Hayley Matthews (C), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (WK), Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack (In for Ashmini Munisar).

The captain of West Indies Women - Hayley Matthews reckons it is a pretty good surface, one that should not change much through the contest, and admits her side would have opted to bowl first too. Also admits that they have nothing to lose and stresses playing fearless cricket. On what needs to click for her side tonight, Matthews says belief remains the foundation, but it has to be backed by performances from the big players, herself included. She underlines that it has been missing at times this tournament, even as she takes some positives from the moments her senior players have managed to deliver. When asked what target they have in mind, she rates this as one of the best batting surfaces England has to offer, and adds that the priority tonight is making sure that first-innings score is a substantial one.

The captain of Australia Women - Sophie Molineux says it looks like a good pitch. She notes there is a bit more grass on it than yesterday, which is one of the reasons they opted to bowl first. Mentions that West Indies are an incredible side, so her side will have to be at their best. Stresses that the key is to play their own brand of cricket and execute their plans well. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

TOSS - It is time for the coin to go up at The Oval. Both captains - Sophie Molineux and Hayley Matthews - are in readiness. Mel Jones leads the proceedings. Sophie gives it a spin, Matthews calls Tails, but it lands Heads. Australia Women have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Veda Krishnamurthy is pitchside. Mentions that it is a cloudy afternoon, although the sun is beginning to peek through, with a gentle breeze blowing across the ground. Observes a healthy covering of grass on the surface, but it is dry underneath. Feels that the new-ball bowlers should get a bit of seam movement early on, while the dry nature of the pitch is also expected to bring the spinners into the game. She adds that chasing has generally been easier at this venue, making bowling first the obvious choice for the captain winning the toss.

Weather watch - Live visuals show London under fairly overcast skies. There's a slight chance of rain, but nothing that should seriously threaten play. We are just a couple of minutes away from the toss now. But before, let's see what does the pitch has in store?

Cracks before the crunch - West Indies made a serious early statement, reeling off three straight wins, toppling defending champions New Zealand to begin the tournament. But two defeats heading into the knockouts, including a stinging loss to Ireland, and just about scraping through to the knockout stage, have raised a few question marks about how they handle pressure when it really matters. Every cloud has a silver lining, though, and those defeats could be just the reality check West Indies needed heading into the business end. They will need to bring their complete A-game across every department if they hope to fell these giants. And they do have the experience in the ranks to back themselves for exactly this kind of challenge. Let's see who wins this bout. With plenty of match-winners across both sides, this promises to be an absolute humdinger. Toss and teams up next very shortly. Stay tuned.

Lost in their own domination - Only two sides remain unblemished in this tournament, Australia and England, but it is the scale of Australia's victories that marks them out as the real danger. They began by putting South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Netherlands to the sword, with barely a hair out of place. Only India gave them a genuine workout, and even then, the old warhorses found a way to get the job done. And if we look back to their T20 World Cup history, they have lost just one, yes, just one out of their last 21 matches, since the 2020 edition. But, but. There’s always a but. At this venue, they have never won a T20I game, having lost both of them. The Oval, it seems, is the one corner of the world that has stubbornly refused to fall in line.

Seventh heaven or second miracle - Australia know this script well. World Cup semi-finals or the finals are practically routine for them, the only blemishes coming in 2009 and 2024, and with no defending champions' tag to carry this time, they will be hungrier than ever to lift a seventh title. West Indies, though, are no easy hurdle. They have made a habit of toppling giants on their day, and for motivation, need only look back to 2016, when they shocked the same Australians to claim their maiden trophy. History, though, mostly favours the Aussies here. They have come out on top in all three previous semi-final meetings between these sides, in 2012, 2014 and 2018. What makes this one different is the gap. These two have not crossed paths in a T20 World Cup since 2018, and whatever has changed in the years between will finally be put to the test.

Down to the last stretch - It’s the battle between the dominators vs the challengers as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 reaches its final week. Hello and welcome to the first semi-final of the competition as six-time world champions Australia take on the 2016 title winners West Indies at the historic The Oval. Last week has thrown up its fair share of upsets across the sporting landscape, and there's a theory worth considering here. Australia, of course, walk in as the firm favourites, but that tag often comes with baggage, the weight of expectation pressing down. Challengers, on the other hand, play with nothing to lose. West Indies carry exactly that kind of freedom into this game, the self-belief of a side that has already defied the form book once. The question is, can they ride that wave all the way past the six-time champions? Buckle up, this one's shaping up to be a cracker.

... MATCH DAY ...

And then there were four - At the end of 30 matches, 8 teams have bowed out, and only 4 remain in the race for glory at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup. Three former champions - Australia (six titles), England (one) and West Indies (one) - are joined by South Africa, who continue their pursuit of a first world title in the women's game after finishing runners-up in the last three World Cups across formats. The Oval plays host to both semifinals, with Australia taking on West Indies in the first clash before tournament hosts England face South Africa for the second spot in the final. Australia mean business - The Aussies arrive looking every bit like a side determined to reclaim the trophy. Neither the reigning ODI nor T20 World Cup champions, they have responded with a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all five matches. South Africa and India asked a few questions, but the Australians always found the answers. Riches across the board - Australia's depth is the envy of world cricket. Different players have stepped up at different times, making them an extremely difficult batting unit to contain. Ellyse Perry has led the way with 183 runs in five innings and heads into the semifinal on the back of consecutive half-centuries. She has been well supported by Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll, all of whom have made valuable contributions at different stages of the group phase. Collectively, Australia boast the highest batting strike rate (150.28) in the tournament and, despite not registering a century, have produced the most fifty-plus scores (6). Masters of control - Australia's bowling has been every bit as impressive as their batting. They boast the best economy rate (6.14) and bowling average (19.13) in the tournament, underlining the control they have exerted throughout the group stage. In fact, the clash against India was the only time they failed to strike in the Powerplay. With Phoebe Litchfield returning from a quad injury against India, Alana King had to make way. Such is the depth in Australia's squad that King would walk into the playing XI of almost every other side in the tournament, but fitting all of Australia's match-winners into one XI is a challenge in itself. Expect the unexpected - For West Indies, it was an anxious wait after letting a golden opportunity slip against Ireland. They had to rely on England defeating New Zealand to sneak into the semifinals. Back-to-back defeats to England and Ireland are now behind them, and they will have to start afresh in the knockout stage. They head into this clash as the underdogs against an unbeaten Australia. But if there is one thing history has taught us, it is that you never quite know which West Indies side will turn up on the day. When they click, they are capable of troubling even the very best. Big names, big occasion - West Indies' talismanic captain Hayley Matthews has not quite set the tournament alight with the bat in the way she is capable of, but she has made a significant impact with the ball. Deandra Dottin, too, is yet to stamp her authority on the tournament in either discipline. However, big players often save their best for the biggest occasions, and the Women in Maroon will be hoping that proves to be the case once again. Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry and Stafanie Taylor have all made useful contributions with the bat during the group stage, but it will take a collective effort if West Indies are to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Australia. Spin to win - West Indies' bowling attack has revolved around spin throughout the tournament, and it has paid rich dividends. Their spinners have bowled 71.4 overs, the most by any team, compared to just 26.1 overs from the seamers. That reflects where their biggest strength lies. They have also delivered on the wicket-taking front, claiming 22 wickets, the second most by any spin attack in the tournament and exactly double the 11 taken by the pace bowlers. Team form (Last 5 completed WT20Is, recent first) - AUS-W - WWWWW | WI-W - LLWWW. What to expect? Just the second game to be played at The Oval in this Women's T20 World Cup, with the first being an evening fixture in which England chased down 164 against New Zealand with 16 balls to spare. The ball came nicely onto the bat under the lights that night. It will be interesting to see how the surface plays in this afternoon fixture, although The Oval traditionally offers good pace and carry. Where history counts for little - Australia have dominated this rivalry in T20Is, winning 17 of the 19 meetings, including each of the last four. Earlier this year, they travelled to the Caribbean and completed a clean sweep across both white-ball formats, winning all three T20Is and three ODIs. However, knockout cricket has told a different story in recent ICC events. South Africa stunned Australia in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup semifinal before India ended their ODI World Cup title defence in the 2025 semifinal, with a memorable victory inspired by Jemimah Rodrigues. Those results serve as a reminder that, for all Australia's dominance, knockout cricket has a habit of rewriting the script. West Indies will hope to be the latest authors.