AUSW vs WIW, 1st Semifinal, T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights: Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner guide Australia to 8-wicket win

Ashleigh Gardner smashes two boundaries, including a free-hit four over mid-off, as Australia comfortably chase down the target. Aaliyah Alleyne’s no-ball adds to West Indies’ misery as Australia plunder 15 runs in the over. They finish at 127/2 after 13 overs to win by 8 wickets and book their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.

Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner keep rotating the strike comfortably against Karishma Ramharack as Australia add seven runs without taking any risks. Mooney moves to 59 and Gardner to 25 as the required rate continues to drop. Australia reach 112/2 after 12 overs and remain firmly in control of the chase.

Beth Mooney reaches her half-century with a pull and then drives Hayley Matthews through cover for a boundary to bring up Australia’s 100. Ashleigh Gardner continues to attack the spinners, launching Afy Fletcher for a six and following it up with a boundary. Australia add 24 runs in the last two overs without losing a wicket and move to 105/2 after 11 overs, cruising comfortably in the chase.

Beth Mooney tears into Jahzara Claxton in the sixth over, smashing four boundaries to race to 41 off just 19 balls as Australia plunder 18 runs. Ellyse Perry struggles for timing and is forced to retire hurt after a quiet over, bringing Ashleigh Gardner to the crease. Mooney continues to bat fluently against spin, guiding Australia to 81/2 after 9 overs as they remain firmly in control of the chase.

Hayley Matthews strikes in her second over, trapping Phoebe Litchfield lbw for 4 after a review confirms the ball was crashing into leg stump. Ellyse Perry comes to the crease and gets off the mark with a single, while Beth Mooney continues to bat fluently, reaching 23 off 13 balls. Australia reach 45/2 after 5 overs, still well ahead in the chase despite the wicket.

Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney have begun Australia’s chase aggressively. Voll launches Chinelle Henry for a six over midwicket in the first over and continues to attack, striking two more boundaries before Henry bowls her for 16. Beth Mooney also finds the boundary with a pull off Hayley Matthews as Australia race to 29/1 after 3 overs, already looking in control of the chase.

Deandra Dottin continues her fight in the final over, ramping Annabel Sutherland for four and then slapping another boundary through extra cover. However, Jannillea Glasgow perishes in the over, caught behind off a slower delivery as West Indies lose their seventh wicket. They finish on 125/7, with Dottin remaining unbeaten on 26 off 16 balls after a spirited late effort.

Deandra Dottin and Jannillea Glasgow have started to counter-attack as West Indies accelerate in the death overs. Dottin finds her timing with a powerful four over backward square and keeps rotating the strike, while Glasgow smashes a boundary down the ground and takes on the slower balls bravely. West Indies add 31 runs in the last three overs without losing a wicket and reach 115/6 after 19 overs, giving themselves a fighting chance in the final over.

Georgia Wareham strikes again, removing Shemaine Campbelle for 22 after she tries to loft down the ground and is caught at mid-off by Ellyse Perry. Deandra Dottin comes out to bat despite her earlier injury scare and survives a couple of testing deliveries from Wareham, while Jannillea Glasgow rotates the strike.

West Indies reach 84/6 after 16 overs, with Dottin now the key hope to revive the innings.

Sophie Molineux returns and immediately removes Chinelle Henry, who holes out to long-on for 10 as she tries to slog down the ground. Jannillea Glasgow comes in and gets off the mark with a couple of quick singles, while Shemaine Campbelle continues to battle in the middle. West Indies manage just 6 runs in the over and slip to 79/5 after 15 overs, with Australia maintaining complete control.

West Indies continue to struggle for momentum as Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham maintain tight control. Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry manage just singles and rotate the strike, but a nervous running mix-up nearly costs them a wicket. Australia even review an LBW against Campbelle, only to lose it on review after an inside edge is detected. West Indies crawl to 66/4 after 13 overs, still well below the required rate following the earlier collapse.

Ashleigh Gardner strikes twice in the over to rip through West Indies’ middle order. Stafanie Taylor departs for a golden duck, chipping a leading edge straight to short mid-wicket, and Jahzara Claxton follows soon after for another duck, chipping tamely to extra cover. Shemaine Campbelle manages just a single as West Indies lose two wickets for one run in the over and slip to 59/4 after 11 overs.

Georgia Wareham makes an immediate impact with her first ball, bowling Hayley Matthews for 30 as the West Indies captain misses a paddle sweep, giving Australia a crucial breakthrough. Shemaine Campbelle responds positively with two quick boundaries, but Sophie Molineux returns to remove Qiana Joseph, who is caught at deep midwicket after a scratchy 16. Stafanie Taylor survives a nervy first ball as West Indies slip to 58/2 after 10 overs, with Australia well on top despite a couple of dropped catches in the field.

West Indies start brightly in the powerplay as Hayley Matthews takes the attack to Australia straight away, creaming Lucy Hamilton through the covers for four off the first ball and continuing to look positive. Kim Garth finds some swing and beats the outside edge a couple of times, but Matthews still manages to find the boundary with a flash through the slip cordon. Sophie Molineux is brought into the attack and Matthews immediately takes her on, sweeping powerfully over square leg for four and then carving another boundary past short third. Despite a leading edge that falls safely, Matthews keeps the momentum going and finishes the third over on 20 off 12 balls as West Indies reach 25/0 after 3 overs.

Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews(c), Shemaine Campbelle(w), Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack

Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney(w), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux(c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton

“Think it's a pretty good wicket at the Oval. Not going to change too much. Probably were going to have a bowl first but at the same time we feel we have nothing to lose and can play fearless cricket. Need some of our big players to step up, myself included. That's what we've missed this tournament. One of the best wickets in England. Definitely have to get a score in the first innings.”

“We're going to have a bowl. Looks like a good pitch to come out here, and hopefully put a bit of pressure on early. [On whether the grass covering influenced the decision] Yeah, I think so. Yeah, it does look a little bit drier than yesterday. It's grown overnight. But, yeah, I think so. And just be able to get out here and have a run around first. [On team selection after the win against India] No, we are playing the same team. [On whether Australia will stick to the same approach heading into the semifinal] Oh, I feel like West Indies are, you know, an incredible team. And we have to bring our best. And a part of that is being able to play our style of play no matter who we're coming up against. [On facing Hayley Matthews, a teammate at the Melbourne Renegades] We were actually just talking about the Renegades before. But, no, she's always a good player against.”

Australia Women win toss and opt to bowl first.

Hello and welcome to the live updates of the 1st Semi-final between Australia Women and West Indies Women.