Australia and England lead the Women’s T20 World Cup’s final four to The Oval
The semi-final line-up is set. Australia and England came through their groups unbeaten, while West Indies and South Africa squeezed in to complete the last four.
Jun 29, 2026
The group stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 closed at Lord’s on Sunday, and the four teams still standing are Australia, England, West Indies and South Africa. Both semi-finals will be played at The Oval, and the winners meet in the final back at Lord’s on 5 July.
Australia and England go into the knockouts as the only two sides nobody managed to beat. Australia topped Group A with a perfect record, signing off by chasing down India’s total to win by six wickets in the group decider at Lord’s. England were every bit as ruthless in Group B, wrapping up a 5-0 run with a nine-wicket win over New Zealand at The Oval that doubled as the result which sent the holders home.
Defending champions New Zealand crash out
The headline casualty of the group stage was New Zealand. The defending champions, who lifted the trophy in 2024, never clicked into gear and were gone before the knockouts even began. For three long-serving greats, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, it brought the curtain down on storied international careers, with all three having confirmed they would retire after the tournament.
West Indies were the side that gained most from England’s win. They had lost earlier the same day to Ireland, who picked up their first ever victory at a Women’s T20 World Cup, yet England’s thrashing of New Zealand meant the Caribbean side still slipped through in second place in Group B. South Africa, runners-up to Australia in Group A, made up the four.
What the last four looks like
Australia face West Indies first, on Tuesday 30 June, with a 2:30pm BST start at The Oval, which is 7pm in India. England’s meeting with South Africa follows on Thursday 2 July, an evening game at the same ground starting at 6:30pm BST, or 11pm IST.
Australia start as the team to beat, as they have at almost every recent edition, but England carry the comfort of home support and an unbeaten run of their own. West Indies and South Africa both arrive knowing that one good night in south London is all that stands between them and a place in the final.
For Indian fans there is an obvious absence. India, beaten by Australia in that final group game, did not make the cut, which takes some of the local interest out of the closing week. Even so, the four who did come through all had to earn their place, and the answers start on Tuesday when Australia and West Indies open the semis.