In a career-defining moment at Manuka Oval on February 19, 2026, 32-year-old left-handed wicket-keeper batter Beth Mooney etched her name into Australian cricket folklore, surpassing former skipper Meg Lanning to become her country’s leading run-scorer in Women’s T20Is.
Needing just 20 runs to claim the landmark ahead of the second T20I against India, Mooney delivered with a classy 46 off 39 balls, powering Australia to a match-winning 163/5 and a 19-run victory that levelled the three-match series 1-1.
Opening alongside Georgia Voll under Canberra skies, Mooney silenced doubts from her subdued 5 off 9 balls in the series opener at the SCG on February 15, where India snatched a 21-run DLS win to lead 1-0. This time, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly.
The Australian openers forged a mammoth 128-run stand, with Mooney’s knock featuring 4 crisp boundaries. Her composed aggression anchored the innings, propelling Australia to a competitive total, which India were unable to chase, reigniting the series ahead of the decider.
Beth Mooney’s ascent to the top spot caps a decade of relentless excellence since her T20I debut on January 26, 2016, against India at Adelaide. In 114 matches and 108 innings, she has amassed 3,432 runs at an average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 125.43, numbers that scream consistency and firepower. Her haul includes 27 half-centuries and two centuries, underscoring her big-match temperament.
Her pinnacle remains that unforgettable unbeaten 117* off 70 balls (19 boundaries, 1 six) against England at Canberra on November 21, 2017, in the third T20I. Opening with wicket-keeper batter Alyssa Healy, Mooney’s blitz helped Australia post 178/2, though England edged a thrilling 4-wicket win. That knock wasn’t just a personal best; it signaled Mooney’s arrival as a T20I force, blending wicket-keeping sharpness with batting nous.
From those early days to now, Mooney has been Australia’s rock, especially in chases and partnerships. Overtaking Lanning, a run-machine with 3,405 runs, speaks volumes about her longevity and adaptability at 32. As the left-hander glides past milestones, she eyes more records in a format where Australia’s dominance owes much to her steel.
This surge against India reaffirms why Mooney thrives under pressure. With the series alive, expect her to lead the charge in the finale.
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