Women's T20 WC: Mooney's 61 and Gardner's all-round show send Australia to record eighth final
Synopsis
Australia didn't just win — they rewrote their own knockout record. Chasing 126 with 42 balls to spare is the largest margin by balls remaining in Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for 100-plus targets, and Beth Mooney's 61 off 36 is the latest reminder that she saves her best for the biggest stages. Sunday's final is Australia's eighth — a dominance that is becoming a dynasty.
Key Takeaways
Australia beat West Indies by eight wickets with 42 balls to spare in the Women's T20 World Cup semifinal at The Oval on 30 June .
Beth Mooney scored an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls ; she and Ashleigh Gardner (35 not out) added an unbroken 84-run third-wicket partnership .
The victory margin is the biggest by balls remaining in Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for targets over 100, surpassing the previous record of 29 balls .
Gardner finished with 2/13 with the ball; Georgia Wareham took 2/17 and dismissed Hayley Matthews (30) with her first delivery.
Australia have now reached the Women's T20 World Cup final for a record eighth time .
Ellyse Perry left the field with a quad issue and her fitness ahead of Sunday's final is being monitored.
Beth Mooney struck an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls and Ashleigh Gardner delivered a commanding all-round display as six-time champions Australia demolished West Indies by eight wickets with 42 balls to spare in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval, London on Tuesday, 30 June. The victory books Australia's place in the tournament final for a record eighth time.
A Historic Margin of Victory
Australia completed their chase of 126 runs in just 13 overs, finishing with seven overs to spare — the biggest victory by balls remaining in ICC Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for targets exceeding 100. The previous benchmark was 29 balls remaining, a record Australia themselves had set against England in both the 2014 and 2018 finals.
Mooney's Masterclass With the Bat
Mooney's unbeaten 61 was her fourth-highest individual score by an Australian in a Women's T20 World Cup knockout match. Only her own 78 against India in the 2020 final, Alyssa Healy's 75 against India in the same match, and Mooney's 74 against South Africa in the 2023 final rank above it. She reached her half-century off just 29 deliveries, keeping Australia in complete control throughout the chase. Mooney and Gardner then forged an unbroken 84-run third-wicket partnership to seal the win, with Gardner contributing an unbeaten 35.
West Indies Undone by Collapse and Early Setback
West Indies were dealt an early blow when star all-rounder Deandra Dottin was taken to the medical room shortly after the national anthems, though she later returned to bat. The West Indies head coach confirmed during the innings break that Dottin had experienced a minor medical issue.
Captain Hayley Matthews led the top-order effort with 30 off 28 balls, sharing a 47-run opening stand with Qiana Joseph (16 off 22). However, West Indies collapsed dramatically from 47/1 to 83/6 as Australia's disciplined attack took over. Shemaine Campbelle attempted a rebuild with 22 off 25 balls, but could not arrest the slide. A 42-run seventh-wicket partnership between Jannillea Glasgow (15) and the returning Dottin, who finished unbeaten on 26 off 16 balls, lifted West Indies to 125/7 in 20 overs — a total that always looked insufficient against Australia's batting depth.
Gardner and Australia's Bowling Unit Shine
Gardner was the standout with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/13. Captain Sophie Molineux took 2/30, Georgia Wareham claimed 2/17 — including the crucial wicket of Matthews with her very first delivery — and Annabel Sutherland contributed 1/26. The collective effort underscored why Australia remain the benchmark in women's cricket.
Injury Cloud Over Perry Ahead of the Final
There was a concern in the seventh over of the chase when experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry left the field for assessment of a quad issue. Australia will be hoping Perry recovers in time for Sunday's final. The result sets up yet another title tilt for a side that has made the Women's T20 World Cup final their near-exclusive territory.
Brief scores: West Indies 125/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26 not out; Ashleigh Gardner 2/13, Georgia Wareham 2/17) lost to Australia 127/2 in 13 overs (Beth Mooney 61 not out, Ashleigh Gardner 35 not out; Chinelle Henry 1/20) by eight wickets.
Point of View
A recurring problem in knockout cricket. Mooney's consistency in pressure matches also raises a pointed question for rival coaches — no team has yet found a reliable plan to contain her in a chase. Perry's fitness will be the one variable Australia cannot control heading into Sunday.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Women's T20 World Cup semifinal between Australia and West Indies?
Australia won the first semifinal of the Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval on 30 June, defeating West Indies by eight wickets with 42 balls to spare. Beth Mooney's unbeaten 61 and Ashleigh Gardner's all-round performance were the highlights.
What record did Australia set in this match?
Australia's win with 42 balls to spare is the largest victory margin by balls remaining in Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for targets over 100. The previous record of 29 balls remaining was also held by Australia, set against England in both the 2014 and 2018 finals.
How did Beth Mooney perform in the semifinal?
Beth Mooney scored an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls, her fourth-highest score in Women's T20 World Cup knockout matches. She reached her half-century off 29 balls and shared an unbroken 84-run third-wicket stand with Ashleigh Gardner to seal the win.
What happened to Deandra Dottin and Ellyse Perry during the match?
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin was taken to the medical room after the national anthems with a minor medical issue, though she returned to score 26 not out off 16 balls. Australia's Ellyse Perry left the field in the seventh over of the chase with a quad issue and her availability for Sunday's final is uncertain.
When is the Women's T20 World Cup final and who will Australia face?
The Women's T20 World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday. Australia have qualified from the first semifinal; the opponent will be determined by the second semifinal result. This will be Australia's record eighth appearance in the tournament final.
