A clinical all-round performance from Ashleigh Gardner and an explosive unbeaten 61 from Beth Mooney secured a commanding eight-wicket victory for the defending champions at The Oval.
LONDON, June 30 — The Australian Women’s National Cricket Team showcased precisely why they are six-time world champions, ruthlessly dispatching the West Indies by eight wickets in the first semi-final of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Played at The Kia Oval on Tuesday, the match was a completely one-sided affair. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Australian captain Sophie Molineux’s bowlers strangled the Caribbean batters, restricting them to a modest 125/7. The Australian top order then made an absolute mockery of the run chase, overhauling the target with a staggering seven overs to spare.
The West Indies innings began with promise but quickly unraveled. Captain Hayley Matthews (30 off 28 balls) and Qiana Joseph (16) put together a 47-run opening stand. However, the introduction of leg-spinner Georgia Wareham proved decisive. Wareham clean-bowled Matthews on her very first delivery, triggering a catastrophic middle-order collapse.
The Caribbean side dramatically slipped from 47/1 to 59/4, largely due to a phenomenal spell from Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner dismantled the middle order, taking two wickets in the 11th over—including power-hitters Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton for ducks—and finishing with remarkable figures of 2/13 from her four overs.
Despite a late, valiant unbeaten 26 from Deandra Dottin, who had suffered a pre-match medical scare and was carried off the field earlier, the West Indies could only post 125/7.
The chase was a masterclass in aggressive batting. Though Australia lost openers Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield inside the powerplay, Beth Mooney ensured there were no nerves in the dressing room. Mooney anchored the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten 61 off just 36 balls, securing her 30th T20 international fifty.
She was perfectly supported by the Player of the Match, Ashleigh Gardner, who returned with the bat to smash a quickfire 35 not out off 20 balls. The pair effortlessly steered Australia past the finish line, closing the innings at 127/2 in exactly 13 overs.
The emphatic victory extends Australia’s unbeaten run in the 2026 tournament and punches their ticket to a historic eighth Women’s T20 World Cup final. They will now head to Lord’s on Sunday, July 5, to face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts England and South Africa, looking to add yet another trophy to their legendary cabinet.
