The Women’s T20 World Cup has become a highlight of the cricketing calendar, showcasing the talent and passion of female players from around the globe. Here are all the T20 World Cup Winners so far.
1. England (2009)
The historic inaugural edition, held in England, featured eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consisted of England, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan. England dominated Group A, winning all their matches with a net run rate of +3.23. Charlotte Edwards, the English opener, was the tournament’s leading run scorer with 259 runs, while Katherine Brunt, the fast bowler, emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets.
Group B comprised Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and West Indies. New Zealand topped Group B after a close fight, with Australia and South Africa following closely behind. New Zealand had a net run rate of +2.17, while Australia and South Africa boasted net run rates of +1.38 and +0.58 respectively. Sophie Devine, the explosive New Zealand batter, led the run-scoring charts in Group B with 185 runs, while the Australian spinner Lisa Sthalekar was the highest wicket-taker with 9 wickets.
The semi-finals saw England thrash West Indies by 6 wickets, with Claire Taylor scoring a well-paced 53. New Zealand edged past Australia in a thrilling encounter by 3 wickets, thanks to a fighting fifty from Nicola Browne (52) and a crucial part played by Suzie Bates (20* off 10 balls).
The final at Lord’s was a closely contested match, with England eventually defeating New Zealand by six wickets. England’s Sarah Taylor played a match-winning knock of 68 runs, while the New Zealand spinner Leigh Kasperek took 2 wickets for 20 runs in her allotted 4 overs.
2. Australia (2010)
The stage was set in the Caribbean for the second edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. This time, ten teams participated, with Ireland and Bangladesh making their debuts. Australia, led by the experienced Jodie Fields (297 runs, 9 wickets), entered the tournament as favourites, having reached the final in the inaugural edition.
They lived up to the expectations, dominating the tournament from the start. Their batting line-up, featuring the likes of Shelley Rae Ponting (280 runs), Alex Blackwell (202 runs, 5 wickets), and Sarah Elliott (182 runs, 5 wickets), fired on all cylinders. Their bowling attack, boasting names like Lisa Sthalekar (9 wickets), Ellyse Perry (who was just starting out in her international career, taking 5 wickets), and Rene Farrell (7 wickets), proved equally potent. Australia topped Group A with a dominant performance, winning all their matches with a net run rate of +3.25. Their closest match was against South Africa, which they won by just 4 wickets.
Australia’s dominance continued in the knockout stages. They defeated Sri Lanka comfortably by 9 wickets in the semi-final, with Shelley Rae Ponting scoring a well-paced 63. The final was a one-sided affair, with Australia clinching a comfortable victory by eight wickets against England. Jodie Fields led from the front with a captain’s knock of 56, while the spinners – Lisa Sthalekar (2 wickets) and Sarah Elliott (2 wickets) – restricted England to a paltry score of 103 runs.
3. Australia (2012)
In the 2012 Women’s T20 World Cup held in Sri Lanka, Australia continued their impressive reign. Placed alongside India, Pakistan, and South Africa in Group B, the Aussies were a force to be reckoned with. Their dominance was evident from the get-go, securing four convincing victories in the group stage. Their strong batting line-up and potent bowling attack were reflected in the tournament’s highest net run rate of +3.200, a clear indicator of their superiority.
The momentum continued into the knockout stages. The semi-final against New Zealand was a relatively smooth affair, with Australia securing a comfortable 8-wicket win. However, the true test arrived in the form of a nail-biting final against England. Batting first, Australia set a competitive target of 142 runs. Meg Lanning, who had been the team’s batting mainstay throughout the tournament, emerged as the leading run-scorer yet again, accumulating an impressive 209 runs. Chasing a challenging total, England put up a valiant fight, but ultimately fell short by a narrow margin of 4 runs. Spinner Jessica O’Connell played a pivotal role in restricting England’s chase, claiming a crucial 10 wickets throughout the tournament.
Australia’s journey in the 2012 Women’s T20 World Cup was a testament to their consistent performance, exceptional batting depth, and potent bowling attack. They displayed both dominance in the group stage and resilience under pressure in the close final. This well-deserved victory solidified their position as the world’s leading T20 team and marked their third consecutive World Cup title, a feat that cemented their legacy in the sport.
4. Australia (2014)
In the 2014 Women’s T20 World Cup held in Bangladesh, Australia cemented their dominance by clinching their third consecutive title. Placed in Group A alongside India, South Africa, and Ireland. A defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener was a much-needed wake up call for the Australian Camp. Post the defeat the Aussie juggernaut never looked back, bagging three back to back victories in their remaining group stage fixtures to secure a semi-final berth.
The semi-final against West Indies presented an opportunity for redemption, as the Caribbean team had previously defeated them. Australia seized this chance, delivering a dominant eight-run victory. The final against England was a different story – a clinical performance by the Australians. Batting first, they set a challenging target, likely exceeding 130 runs, which proved too much for England. Their bowling attack suffocated the English chase, leading to a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Australia overcame an early setback, took revenge on a group-stage conqueror, and ultimately dominated the final. This well-deserved win solidified their status as the undisputed queens of T20 cricket.
5. West Indies (2016)
The 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup in India witnessed a historic upset as the West Indies, placed in Group B with South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, defied expectations. Their journey was marked by consistent wins throughout the group stage, showcasing their well-rounded team.
The momentum continued into the knockout stages. In a thrilling semi-final against the host nation, India, the West Indies pulled off a narrow victory, sending shockwaves through the tournament. The final against the mighty Australians, the defending champions, was a tense affair. Australia set a competitive target of 148 runs, but a brilliant knock of 66 runs off just 45 balls by opener Hayley Matthews laid the foundation for the Windies’ chase. Partnered with Stafanie Taylor, Matthews propelled the West Indies to a historic eight-wicket victory. This win not only marked their first-ever ICC trophy in women’s cricket but also became a significant moment, highlighting the rising power of the West Indies in the world of T20.
6. Australia (2018)
The 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean saw Australia reclaim their crown after a two-year absence. Placed in Group A with India, New Zealand, and Pakistan, their path was not entirely smooth. They suffered their only defeat of the tournament against India but bounced back with convincing wins against the other teams, securing a spot in the knockout stages.
The semi-final against South Africa was a dominant display by Australia, with a comfortable victory. The final against England felt like a repeat of the 2014 final. Australia mirrored their previous performance, restricting England to only 105 runs. Alyssa Healy, the wicketkeeper-batter, took center stage with a quickfire half-century, leading the chase with ease. Australia secured a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
Australia overcame a group-stage defeat and dominated the knockout stages, showcasing their resilience. The final was a display of their efficient unit. With this victory, Australia secured their fourth T20 World Cup title, further cementing their position as the most dominant team in the history of women’s T20 cricket.
7. Australia (2020)
The 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia was a rollercoaster ride for the host nation. Placed in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, their journey was not entirely perfect. They suffered a defeat to India in the opening match, but their resilience shone through as they secured convincing wins against the other teams, ultimately claiming the top spot in the group.
Australia with a narrow five-run victory over South Africa in a rain-affected semifinal, advanced to the final. The final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was a spectacle. Batting first, Australia put on a commanding display, posting a mammoth 184 runs. Beth Mooney anchored the innings with an impressive unbeaten 78. Their bowling attack then upset India, restricting them to only 99 runs, securing a comprehensive 85-run victory.
Despite a hiccup in the group stage, they bounced back with authority, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. This decisive victory on home soil marked their fifth T20 World Cup title, further solidifying their position as the undisputed queens of the shortest format of the game.
8. Australia (2023)
The 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa witnessed another dominant display by Australia, securing their sixth title and solidifying their place in T20 history. Placed in Group A alongside New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, the defending champions were unstoppable. They dominated the group stage, registering convincing victories in all their matches, boasting a high net run rate. Their strength continued into the knockout stages, with a comfortable semi-final win against India.
The final, however, was a different story. Facing the host nation, South Africa, in a tense battle, Australia set a competitive target, exceeding 150 runs. The South Africans fought bravely in their chase, but ultimately fell short by a narrow margin of 19 runs. This win was not just about dominance, but also about handling pressure in a close encounter. Australia’s 2023 World Cup journey was evidence to their consistency, grit, and experience under pressure.