Mooney powers Australia to a record-extending seventh T20 World Cup crown at Lord's

Beth Mooney rolled back the years with another big-match masterclass as Australia crushed hosts England by seven wickets to lift a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title at a sold-out Lord's. Chasing 151, the six-time champions were guided home in style by Mooney's composed 64, sealing an unbeaten campaign and a triumphant return to the summit of the women's game after three years without a global crown.

In a final billed as a clash between two irresistible, unbeaten sides, it was Australia's all-round class that shone through, as they overwhelmed England in front of a packed house to claim a stunning 14th women's World Cup overall.

Mooney the clutch performer once again

If anyone embodies Australia's dominance on the biggest stage, it is Mooney. Her 64 from 49 balls marked a third consecutive half-century in a T20 World Cup final, following her unbeaten efforts in the 2020 and 2023 deciders, and steered the chase with characteristic calm.

Her contribution earned her the Player of the Final award, and she was also named Player of the Tournament — becoming the first cricketer to claim both honours twice. It was a fitting individual coronation at the end of a commanding campaign.

England restricted after a shaky start

Put in to bat, England endured a difficult start, slipping to 70 for four as Australia's bowlers applied a relentless squeeze. Openers Amy Jones and tournament-leading run-scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge both fell cheaply inside the powerplay, the latter caught behind down the leg side thanks to a superb tumbling take from Mooney.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the recovery with a battling unbeaten 58, and found a valuable ally in Freya Kemp, whose quickfire 44 not out lit up the closing overs. Their unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 80 lifted England to a competitive-looking 150 for four, but it always felt around 20 runs short of a defendable total.

Australia land the early blows

Australia's response was emphatic. Although they lost opener Georgia Voll early — bowled by Lauren Bell for nine — the champions came out swinging, embodying Litchfield's philosophy of throwing the first punch in T20 cricket.

Mooney and the fearless Phoebe Litchfield seized control immediately, racing to 62 for one in the powerplay and refusing to let England's bowlers settle. The pressure of the occasion seemed only to inspire them.

Litchfield's dazzling cameo

Playing in her first World Cup final, the young left-hander Litchfield belied her inexperience with an effervescent 48 from just 35 balls. She struck two sixes and six fours, including an outrageous reverse-swept maximum, taking the sting out of the early wicket and thrilling the neutrals.

Her century stand with Mooney, worth 100 from just 67 deliveries, effectively settled the contest by the halfway mark. It was the second-highest partnership in the history of a Women's T20 World Cup final, behind only the famous 2016 stand between Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor.

A few late flutters

England did claw back some wickets late on, with Charlie Dean bowling Litchfield and Sophie Ecclestone trapping Mooney lbw, but by then the target was well within reach. There was even a moment of controversy when Ecclestone appeared to catch Ellyse Perry at mid-off, only for the TV umpire to rule the ball had been grounded, much to the bowler's visible frustration.

Perry, dropped in that instant, duly saw Australia home alongside Ashleigh Gardner. Fittingly, victory was confirmed with four wides from a wayward Ecclestone delivery, a neat summary of England's difficult evening, as Australia completed the chase at 153 for three with 17 balls to spare.

A record chase in the final

The target of 151 was the highest ever chased in a Women's T20 World Cup final, and Australia knocked it off with room to spare — a statement of their supremacy. The result extended their perfect record to seven wins from seven appearances in T20 World Cup finals.

For England, it was a chastening end to an otherwise superb tournament. They failed to win a home World Cup for the first time, their proud record on home soil finally broken by their great rivals.

Back at the apex

The triumph carried extra significance for Australia, who had endured a rare barren spell by their lofty standards, exiting the 2024 T20 World Cup at the semi-final stage and losing the 50-over final last year. This victory restored them to the pinnacle of the sport in emphatic fashion.

England coach Charlotte Edwards, gracious in defeat, acknowledged that her side had not been at their best and paid tribute to an Australian team that has dominated women's cricket for years, while insisting England were not too far away.

The final word

This was Australia at their ruthless, clinical best — a flawless tournament capped by a flawless final. Mooney's serene brilliance and Litchfield's fearless hitting ensured the trophy returned Down Under, underlining once again why the Southern Stars remain the benchmark in women's cricket. For England, the wait for a home World Cup goes on; for Australia, the dynasty rolls on, with a record seventh title now safely in their grasp.