LONDON: A blazing half-century by Beth Mooney gave Australia Women their seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title when they defeated England Women with a clinical performance at Lord’s on Sunday.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 58 not out and Freya Kemp 44 not out to lift the home side to 150 for four after they had been put in to bat first in good batting conditions. However, Mooney made the target look small with a strokeful 64 as the world’s No.1 ranked side achieved the 151-run target for the loss of three wickets with 17 balls to spare.

This was Australia’s first women’s T20 World Cup title since 2023, when they defeated South Africa in Cape Town, having also previously won in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.

In contrast, this was England’s fourth defeat in a T20 World Cup final in 14 years – all against Australia – and also their first loss in a final at Lord’s, having previously won the 1993 and 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and the 2009 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at the same venue.

Australia and India now equally share the four ICC women’s titles between them. Australia also hold the ICC Women’s Championship title, while India are the winners of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

There was drama right at the end of the final when, with Australia seven runs from victory, third umpire Kim Cotton ruled Ellyse Perry not out even though television replays repeatedly confirmed the catch had been taken cleanly by Sophie Ecclestone. After the not-out decision popped up on the giant screen, a frustrated Ecclestone charged towards on-field umpire Jacqueline Williams, only to be stopped by bowler Charlie Dean – a moment that potentially averted a code of conduct breach.

But the incident did not take the gloss off a brilliant all-round performance by Australia in the final. They were sharp in the field, accurate with the ball and commanding in the run-chase. They were richly rewarded for remaining the only undefeated side in the tournament – a glittering trophy along with a cash award of US$2.34 million.

Mooney struck 10 fours in a 49-ball 64, her 31st T20I half-century to go with two centuries, and added 100 runs for the second wicket with Phoebe Litchfield, who scored 48 from 35 balls with six fours and two sixes. That partnership laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory after Australia collected 62 runs in the PowerPlay and reached 98 for one at the halfway mark.

Mooney was later named player of the final and player of the tournament.

Earlier, England had appeared more conservative with the bat, scoring 39 for two in the PowerPlay and 68 for three after 10 overs, before finishing with a flourish – 45 runs in the last five overs. But 150 for four on a good batting surface was never likely to trouble a highly charged, professional Australian side.

Sciver-Brunt followed up her 75 in the semi-final against South Africa with a 53-ball 58 not out that included five fours. She put on a crucial 80 runs for the unfinished fifth wicket with Freya Kemp, who was the more aggressive of the pair, hitting four fours and a six in an unbeaten 44 from 28 balls.

England received US$1.17 million for their efforts, while the two semi-finalists – South Africa and West Indies – received US$675,000 each. When England won the title in 2009, they received a cash award of US$70,000.

The next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in Pakistan in 2028, when Australia will chase an eighth title. In the four previous editions held in Asia, they have won twice, in 2012 and 2014. West Indies won in India in 2016, while New Zealand won in the UAE in 2024.

Pakistan have already qualified for 2028 by virtue of being the host nation.

Scores in brief:

FINAL – Australia Women beat England Women by seven wickets, Lord’s

ENGLAND WOMEN 150-4, 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 58*, Freya Kemp 44*, Alice Capsey 23)

AUSTRALIA WOMEN 153-3, 17.1 overs (Beth Mooney 64, Phoebe Litchfield 48)

PLAYER OF THE FINAL – Beth Mooney (Australia)

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – Beth Mooney (Australia)