Australia are through to an unprecedented eighth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, dismantling West Indies by eight wickets at The Oval in a semi-final that was overshadowed by injury concerns before the first ball was even bowled.
The biggest talking point came before play, as Deandra Dottin was carried off the field after the national anthem, with no official explanation provided at the time. Despite the worrying scenes, the all-rounder took her place in the XI and later fought through discomfort to top-score with 26*(16), but it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia’s relentless march to another final.
After choosing to bowl first, Australia immediately tightened the screws following a steady West Indies start. Hayley Matthews made 30(28) and Shemaine Campbelle added 22(25), but the innings unraveled spectacularly through the middle overs.
Ashleigh Gardner produced a match-defining spell of 2/13, removing both Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton in the space of three deliveries, while Sophie Molineux (2/30) and Georgia Wareham (2/17) ensured the scoring dried up. At 83/6 after 15.3 overs, West Indies looked destined for an even smaller total before Dottin’s late counterattack lifted them to 125/7.
Australia made light work of the chase. Georgia Voll blasted 16(11) before departing early, while Beth Mooney seized complete control with a fluent 61*(36). Phoebe Litchfield chipped in with 4(5) before Ellyse Perry’s afternoon took an unfortunate turn. The veteran retired hurt on 2(7) after appearing uncomfortable, adding another injury concern for Australia despite the one-sided contest.
Any nerves were quickly erased by Gardner, who capped off a superb all-round performance with an unbeaten 35*(20). Her partnership with Mooney dismantled the target in just 13 overs, sealing a commanding eight-wicket victory with 42 balls to spare. West Indies’ bowlers struggled to create pressure, with Chinelle Henry (1/20) and Hayley Matthews (1/23) taking the only wickets as Australia raced away.
The comprehensive victory sends Australia into a record-extending eighth Women’s T20 World Cup final, where they will chase for their seventh global title. For West Indies, a spirited tournament ends one step short of the final. Australia’s ruthless display once again underlined why they remain the benchmark in world cricket.
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