Australia booked their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final with a dominant eight-wicket victory to make it six wins out of six at the tournament – and the smart money would be on them to make it seven in a row in the final.
Sophie Molineux – taking the reins from the legendary Alyssa Healy after her retirement in March – has captained her side to a perfect tournament thus far, beating pre-tournament favourites India and fellow semi-finalists South Africa in the group stages while posting a staggering net run-rate of 3.882 – over 1.7 points higher than any other team.
The six-time world champions have disposed of every and any opponent they have faced on their way to a seventh World Cup final in nine appearances.
Their form begs the question – do England actually have any chance of beating them?
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Highlights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final between Australia and West Indies at The Oval
Australia’s strength in depth key to glittering form
Australia’s threat – with the bat or the ball – can come from anywhere.
Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Brooke Halliday and Ash Gardener all sit inside the top 20 run scorers at the tournament, though none sit inside the top three scorers individually.
Six different players have scored 40 or more in an innings for Australia thus far, ranging from their openers down to No 7 in the order, and seven different players have taken two or more wickets in a game – such is Australia’s strength in depth.
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Watch Australia’s best shots as they chased down 78 in just 9.3 overs to thrash Bangladesh by nine wickets at the T20 Women’s World Cup
Their semi-final victory exemplified just that. Ash Gardner, who has struggled with the ball throughout the tournament turned up at just the right time, taking two in an over to leave the West Indies reeling at 59-4, having been 59-2 just three balls earlier.
“I feel I haven’t really had an impact with the ball in the tournament so to save my best until now is pleasing,” Gardner said after her win. “I have been pretty inconsistent, but today it worked.
“I felt like this is the best cricket that we’ve played in a very long time. I think I’ve said it before, but we’re not relying on one or two people, so it’s almost like in those big moments different people are standing up, which is amazing to be a part of.”
Do England have any chance?
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Highlights from Cardiff, where England lost to Australia by five wickets in their Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match
England have not beaten Australia in any format in close to three years, with their last win coming on July 18, 2023 during the home Ashes series.
Since then, Australia have claimed eight straight victories over their arch-rivals, with their run comprising a whitewash in six away Ashes fixtures, a 2025 50-over World Cup group stage victory, and a six-wicket win in a T20I warm-up for this tournament in June.
England’s semi-final victory, though, will be a huge source of optimism as they overcame a similar hoodoo against South Africa, winning by 40 runs after losing two successive World Cup semi-finals to the Proteas in 2023 and 2025.
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Tash Farrant and Nasser Hussain explain why they believe England can come out on top against Australia despite being underdogs in Sunday’s Women’s T20 World Cup final
Nasser Hussain believes that this “new” England side, buoyed by a coaching change and evidently less affected by the mental strain of past results, stand a good chance of ending their barren run against their old foes.
“Do they still really believe they can beat Australia? That’s the first hurdle they’ve got to get over is themselves. No mental baggage, no mental scarring.
“We are a new England under a new coach and we are coming at you, Australia.
“Are there any weaknesses in that Australia side? I don’t see many, to be honest. Their biggest strength, I would say, is that long batting line-up, that they just keep coming at you.
“Can England beat Australia? Of course they can. Who are favourites? Australia.”
Sciver-Brunt: We can beat Australia
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Nasser Hussain was left impressed by England’s performance in the field in their victory of South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final, after suggesting their fielding can go missing at times in previous games
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt:
“Well, I think the way that we’ve gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way that we can beat them.
“Obviously, they’ve got a really long and skilful batting line-up. You don’t just need to take the top-order wickets, you need to keep going.
“I think our bowlers are fully equipped to be able to deal with anything that’s thrown at us.
“Australia are a world-class side that have had huge success in the last few years – different Ashes series, home and away, but I think standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way.”
Farrant: Australia are not superhuman
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Tash Farrant believes that whoever faces Australia in the T20 World Cup final ‘has to have their best day out’
Former England fast bowler Tash Farrant, speaking on Sky Sports:
“They’re not superhuman – but they are the best side by far in this tournament.
“They are so good at performing under pressure.
“Whoever is going to beat Australia need to have their very best day out.
“We saw them drop a few catches in the last game, so you can create the cracks there, but you have to go really hard at them to make sure that they do feel that pressure coming into a final.”
What’s next?
Watch all of England, Ireland and Scotland’s matches at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for free on the Sky Sports App
Everyone can stream the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup live for FREE – and without a subscription – on the Sky Sports App. All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in.
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England face Australia in Sunday’s final at Lord’s. Coverage starts at 2.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix (first ball 3.30pm). Watch every ball of the Women’s T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW.