Mooney’s unbeaten 61 sends Australia into the Women’s T20 World Cup final
Beth Mooney’s 61 not out and a six-wicket spin squeeze swept Australia past West Indies by eight wickets at The Oval, sealing a place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s.
Jun 30, 2026
Australia did not so much win their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final as stroll through it. Set 126 by West Indies at The Oval, the six-time champions knocked the runs off inside 13 overs to win by eight wickets, with 42 balls to spare, and booked their place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s. Beth Mooney made the chase look like a net session, finishing unbeaten on 61 from 36 balls.
The result never felt in doubt once Australia’s spinners had squeezed the life out of the West Indies innings. A target of 126 was always going to be light against a side as composed as Australia in knockout cricket, and Mooney removed any lingering tension with a flurry of boundaries through the powerplay.
Mooney sets the tone
Australia lost Georgia Voll for 16, bowled by Chinelle Henry, and Phoebe Litchfield fell lbw to Hayley Matthews for 4 after the West Indies captain reviewed a not-out call and got it overturned. None of it slowed the chase. Mooney brought up her fifty off just 29 balls and struck eight fours in all, picking off the spinners with the kind of certainty that has defined her white-ball career.
The one note of concern for Australia was Ellyse Perry, who retired hurt on 2 after appearing to pick up a knock. With the final five days away, the team management will be hoping it is nothing more than a precaution. Ashleigh Gardner walked in and carried on the assault, finishing 35 not out from 20 balls and sealing matters with an unbroken stand alongside Mooney.
West Indies undone by the middle overs
For a while West Indies looked capable of posting a competitive total. Matthews and Qiana Joseph put on 47 for the first wicket, and at 47 without loss the Caribbean side had a platform. Then Georgia Wareham bowled Matthews for 30 and the innings folded inwards. Gardner struck twice in the space of three deliveries to dismiss Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton without scoring, and from a position of comfort West Indies slid to 59 for four.
Shemaine Campbelle battled to 22 and Jannillea Glasgow chipped in with 15, but the run rate had been throttled. Only a late cameo from Deandra Dottin, who finished 26 not out from 16 balls with four fours, lifted the total to 125 for seven. It was a score that flattered the batting effort more than it troubled Australia.
Spin does the damage
Australia’s slow bowlers were the story of the first innings. Gardner was the pick with figures of two for 13 from her four overs, conceding barely three an over, while Sophie Molineux took two for 30 and Wareham two for 17. Six of the seven wickets to fall went to spin, a reminder of how deep Australia’s attack runs even on surfaces that offer little.
Lord’s awaits
Australia have now reached the final without a serious wobble all tournament, and they will return to Lord’s on Sunday 5 July chasing yet another global title. Their opponents will be decided by the second semi-final at The Oval on 2 July, where England meet South Africa. Whoever comes through will know that pulling Australia out of their stride, as West Indies discovered, is far easier said than done.