England Women vs Australia Women, Final, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - CommentaryENGW vs AUSW, Final, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

Phew, that's a wrap of a tournament that broke new ground off the field, while Australia broke everyone on it. A team that is just like no other across cricket history. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as you've enjoyed watching them. That's all from us here. It's a goodbye from Sagar Chawla on behalf of Siva, MS Ramakrishnan and Raju Peethala!

Sophie Molineux receives the trophy from ICC Chairman Jay Shah and she's joined by her teammates as the celebrations begin once more. The players call the support staff to the stage before posing for cameras. They now head over to the CHAMPIONS sign for more photos with the Lord's pavilion in the background. What follows is a lap of the ground with the trophy, thanking the fans. Meanwhile, Perry and England coach Charlotte Edwards are having a chat. They've seen it all, haven't they?

Here's Raju Peethala with a poetic recap of the tournament

Birmingham lights the World Cup fire,
Danni's hundred takes England higher.

Australia humble the Proteas,
Campbelle rattles the Kiwis.

India-Pakistan, rivalry renewed,
Deepti's five-for steals the mood.

Sri Lanka shock New Zealand's might,
India cruise with ruthless delight.

Fatima Sana fights alone,
Darcey Carter makes her name known.

Ireland push, New Zealand survive,
Bangla spin keeps dreams alive.

Kapp delivers a chasing gem,
Manchester applauds South Africa's class.

Sophie Molineux: (3/3) [Message to England] Yeah, firstly, just a massive congratulations to England. Look, you guys have played such an amazing brand of cricket all tournament. And with that, I think you’ve achieved the ambition of inspiring a nation by the way you’ve turned up and played. So, well done, Nat (Sciver-Brunt) and Lottie (Charlotte Edwards), and a great tournament. [Message to family and friends] To our beautiful families, partners, friends, everyone that made the journey over here, you guys are so special to us, and it’s amazing to be able to share this with you all. And, yeah, I’m sure you will enjoy the night like you have the last four weeks. [Message to the support staff] And to our support staff, there’s so many of you there, but you’re all so important to us. We speak about being calm, and you guys lead the way with that. So, all those long hours and picking up bags and doing all those little things for us, it doesn’t go unnoticed, and this is for you guys. [Message to the fans] To the fans, it’s been an incredible, incredible tournament. In every match, there’s been a massive crowd, neutral games and everything. It’s been an amazing tournament, so thank you to Beth and everyone behind the scenes. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of. [Message to her teammates] And finally to the girls, yeah, just so incredibly proud. And thank you for having an open mind and being willing to come on the journey. And you guys should be so incredibly proud.

Sophie Molineux: (2/3) [On the calmness the team showed under pressure in the final] Look, I think it’s just being able to trust each other, trust our processes. We’ve done a lot of work on that. And we probably looked at the last couple of World Cups and in moments like that where we’ve been on the back foot, we haven’t known what to do. And I think the answer for us was to stay calm and use our brains and think our way through it with our skills. So, yeah, we did a lot of work leading up to it, and it’s just nice to be able to see it come to fruition. [On going unbeaten throughout the tournament, was that a target for you?] Yeah, I think so. And in tournament play, you have to have the same mentality, no matter what situation we’re in. So really pleased with how the last few weeks have gone. [On Ellyse Perry’s contribution to the team] Oh, she’s incredible, Pez (Perry). Look, what she brings to this team isn’t just on the field. I think her nature and the way she is, she’s the heartbeat of the group, really. And she’s an absolute legend of our game. And she deserves so much. And for her to have another World Cup in her bag is pretty special.

Sophie Molineux | Australia captain: (1/3) [On captaining Australia to another T20 World Cup title at Lord’s and fulfilling a childhood dream] Too good to be true, to be honest. Dad’s here as well, so it’s, yeah, it’s a special day. [On what it took for Australia to win the World Cup] A lot of thought, a lot of effort, a lot of hard work, and just a group of people that wanted to do anything for each other. And that’s been the real theme over these last three or four months, playing for each other and caring for each other. [On the value of experience alongside the younger players in a World Cup final] It’s invaluable. I think, having the likes of Pez (Perry) out there to calm the team down after that first innings. Ash (Gardner) has been around for a long time, and yeah, that’s not even hitting the surface. And to see someone like Lucy Hamilton just take to it like water. She was so calm and had so much clarity out there. It’s a true testament to her nature and the group around her.

Australia's turn to collect their medals, the last one being captain Molineux.

Nat Sciver-Brunt: (2/2) [Were you expecting Australia to come as hard as they did] Yeah, absolutely. They’ve got a powerful line-up with the bat, and you know that you need to keep taking wickets to really stem the flow because a few won’t do it. They’ve got the likes of Ellyse Perry coming in if you take two wickets. So, yeah, they’ve obviously got great depth in their batting line-up. So it makes it difficult for bowling attacks. [On what England can be proud of from the tournament] I think we’ve got so much to be proud of. Yeah, I suppose coming in and having done so much work pre-tournament, and the energy around the group throughout the competition, we’ve played some brilliant matches. Different people have had their moments, and we’ve celebrated everyone’s success so well. It’s a proper group of players that we’ve got here that really care about each other and really care about playing for England and wearing the shirt with pride. So, yeah, it’s a tough one to take, but we’outside the leg-stump be back. [On the support from the home crowd] It’s such a privilege to play for our country and in front of some amazing people who support us through thick and thin (pauses as she gets emotional). So I’m just hugely grateful.

Nat Sciver-Brunt | England captain: (1/2) [On the disappointment of losing another World Cup final to Australia] Yeah, I’m stood here hugely disappointed. We’ve had such a great competition up to this point. And, I suppose to end like that feels a bit sour in the mouth at the moment. But, yeah, we were outplayed today by a class Australian side that used all of their experience in a huge final. [On what she would have done differently after reflecting on the match] I actually went back for a... because I was desperate for a wee (laughs). So I guess initially, I mean, ideally I’d won the toss and would be bowling first. I don’t know. We were short of a par score on that wicket. It felt tricky to gain momentum throughout the innings with the bat. Obviously, scratching around a little bit, trying to find the middle of the bat. But I guess when the pressure’s on, their bowlers hit their areas and made it very difficult for us. And I suppose we left it a bit too late in our bowling innings. Obviously trying to start off the innings with great intent with the ball, sorry, and try and pick up as many wickets in the powerplay as we could. But, yeah, Beth Mooney obviously played a brilliant innings today as well.

Okay, looks like they're ready for the presentations. Mel Jones brings the trophy to the stage and places it on the plinth. First it's the umpires who are acknowledged for their performances. Now the England players line up to collect the runners-up medals. The crowd, that has stayed back, cheers them on. Loudest cheers reserved for captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Isa Guha to conduct the interviews...

There's a performance from Clean Bandit before we get to the presentations...

Beth Mooney: (2/2)[On new captain Sophie Molyneux’s leadership] Yeah, so, she’s been amazing. She’s just calm and composed and doesn’t look too flustered, I think. She’s put her own spin on the captaincy and been a great leader. I think she’s been a great leader in Australian cricket for a long time. People probably just haven’t been able to see that. And now we’re fortunate we get to see it firsthand. And, you know, the girls have really got around her, and it’s just amazing icing on the cake for what’s been a pretty amazing tournament for us as a group.

Beth Mooney | Player of the Tournament: (1/2) [On being named Player of the Tournament and whether winning World Cups still feels special] Yeah, this has been on the calendar for a little while for us. So, it’s just nice to be part of the squad first and foremost and have a role to play, opening the batting and wicketkeeping. So, yeah, just pumped to be here. There’s been a lot of evolution in this group in the last 12 months, and a lot of growth and some fun times as well. So, really nice that we’ve capped it off with this today. [On Australia’s consistency throughout the tournament] Oh, I think just playing the game with a bit of conviction, a lot of freedom, a lot of bravery, and backing each other and having more belief. You know, I mentioned we’ve got a lot of support on the sideline. Our coaching staff and support staff are amazing. Had a couple of niggles along the way, but we’ve managed to, you know, have a full squad to pick from in a big game. And I think that, you know, we can’t shy away from how important that is. So, it’s a great group to travel with. We’ve been on the road for five and a half weeks, and, you know, plenty of people have come over from halfway across the world to watch the finals, some a couple of days ago, some a few weeks ago. So, we’ve felt the love and felt the support here in England.

Beth Mooney | Player of the Match: [On her emotions after winning the World Cup] Yeah, just happy to be here. I think, it’s been pretty well documented, we haven’t quite made it this far in the last two ICC events. So, yeah, just woke up this morning pretty grateful we made it this far. [On her wicketkeeping performance, including the stumping of Danni Wyatt-Hodge] Yeah, you know, warmed up in the tournament. I think at the start I was a bit rusty, but got some great support in our coaching staff with Dan Kiley and Shell, the boys and Sean McLeod. So, I’ve had plenty of help along the way. I can’t take too much credit. It’s been really nice to have some consistency with the gloves and to play a role in the field as well. [On the tactic of standing up to the stumps] Yeah, it’s obviously a conversation that happens between me and the bowlers. I’m more than happy to do what they tell me to. You know, it’s their plans and their job to execute, and thankfully they back me to clean up anything that goes a bit awry. But, yeah, we were umming and ahing about that review off Dan, but, yeah, we got there in the end. [On her match-winning innings of 64 off 49 balls and her game plan] Oh, I think, you know, like I spoke about in the semi-final, it’s really important to settle the dugout in the powerplay in a big game. Voll got us off to a really good start, hit the ball really well and then had an unfortunate dismissal. So, you know, Phoebe came out and nailed it from ball one. So, you know, I just kept going and tried to make sure we got ahead of the game as early as possible.

Stats by Shashikant Singh

Women’s T20 WC titles
7 - Australia (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2026)
1 - England (2009)
1 - West Indies (2016)
1 - New Zealand (2024)

Teams with an unbeaten run in the Women’s T20 World Cup
ENG-W in 2009
AUS-W in 2010
AUS-W in 2023
AUS-W in 2026*

England Women in the World Cup at home
CWC 1973: Champions
CWC 1993: Champions
T20 WC 2009: Champions
CWC 2017: Champions
T20 WC 2026: Runner-up

ENG-W in Women's T20 WC at home
Matches: 12
Won: 11
Lost: 1 (vs AUS in 2026 final)

151 is the second-highest target successfully chased in Women’s T20 World Cup knockouts, after 164 by England against Australia in the 2009 semi-final at The Oval.

Seven of the nine 150-plus run-chases in the Women's T20 World Cup have come in 2026.

17.1 overs taken by Australia today makes it the quickest 150-plus in Women’s T20 World Cups, bettering 17.2 overs taken by ENG-W (T: 164) against AUS-W in the 2009 semi-final.

Beth Mooney in T20 WC finals
DNB vs WI, 2016
14(15) vs ENG, 2018
78*(54) vs IND, 2020
74*(53) vs SA, 2023
64 (49)vs ENG, 2026

The only other players with multiple 50-plus scores in T20 WC finals - Men’s or Women’s - are Kumar Sangakkara (2009 & 2014), Marlon Samuels (2012 & 2016), and Virat Kohli (2014 & 2024).

This was Australia Women’s 10th straight T20I win. They have had four longer streaks of consecutive victories, including 16 between March 2014 and August 2015, the longest for a full-member side in the format.

Beth Mooney is the first to win the POTM award twice in Women's T20 WC finals (2023 and 2026). Marlon Samuels is the only one to have done it in the Men's competition (2012 and 2016).

POTM award in the final and POTT in the same Women's T20 WC edition
Amelia Kerr in 2024
Beth Mooney in 2026

Beth Mooney is also the first to win the POTT award twice in the Women's T20 World Cup, after having previously done it in 2020. Virat Kohli holds the record in the Men's game (2014 and 2016).

Ellyse Perry: [On what winning another World Cup at Lord’s means to her] Oh yeah, today has been truly special, I think. Like, the atmosphere, the occasion, it’s been absolutely phenomenal. I mean, I’m so grateful for every opportunity to play here. And then for it to have fallen our way, it’s just been super special. It was an amazing performance from the girls against an awesome England team who’ve had a great campaign and who we respect tremendously. So, to get over the line, Soph’s (Molineux) first World Cup as captain too, and the way that we played throughout, it’s just been an absolute joy to be a part of. So, yeah, I’m really over the moon. [On what keeps her motivated after so many years at the top] Oh, looking at our group, they are amazing people who always want to get better. We’ve had some things to work on and some challenges in the last couple of years. And I think to come through it the way we have and hopefully taken our game to a new level. And most importantly, people have come out and enjoyed watching us play. That means so much to me. And to, have the chance to be a part of that is a privilege of a lifetime. And it’s been nice to make the most of it. [On her message to young girls and boys aspiring to play cricket] Well, I think most importantly, not just young girls, but all the young boys here today as well. That’s been the coolest shift in the last couple of years, is that we’ve equally got as many young girls and young boys out here watching. And in years to come, they’re going to think it’s totally normal for women to be out here on the field doing their thing. And it’s been awesome spectacle to come and watch. So, to me, that’s the awesome thing. And so to all the kids that have been here today, I hope you had a great time. But also the parents bringing them along, and just general fans of cricket, we’re so indebted to you, and you made today as special as it has been.

Georgia Voll: [On her emotions after becoming a World Cup winner] Yeah, pretty bloody excited. I think it’s been a great campaign, and to finish it off like we did today, pretty bloody pumped. [On the energy brought by the younger players] Yeah, obviously the way that Phoebe’s (Litchfield) gone out there and just put the game away from them today was pretty cool to watch. The way that Moons (Mooney) went out there and just dominated from ball one. So, yeah, it was a clinical win in the end. [Looking forward to the celebrations?] Yeah, I am. I can’t wait. [On Team Band and the post-match entertainment] I will say yes. I don’t think I know a lot of their music, but, yeah, I’m sure we will have a dance along. [On the togetherness within the squad] Yeah, it’s been great. The lead-up, the last couple of months, you know, working really hard back home, and then coming over here and having a really good tournament to top it off like this. It’s been such a whirlwind couple of months, and to come over here and put some performances on like that, the squad’s pretty happy. [On the English conditions] Yeah, I think they were really good surfaces. I think once you get yourself in, you can capitalise. I was probably a little bit unfortunate, didn’t give myself enough time in some of those games. But, yeah, who cares? We’re bloody World Champions. [On the strength and depth of the squad] Yeah, we spoke about it the other day, just the way that our whole squad has been used and the way that everyone rocks up to training and is willing to do whatever the team needs. We’ve got such a quality team. The depth is unreal. And the way that the girls turn up day in, day out is, pretty cool. [On looking ahead to future World Cups] Yeah, of course. I think, obviously, being a part of the one-day World Cup over in India and unfortunately missing out on that one, and then to come over here and see how excited and keen the group were to get that trophy back. So, yeah, pretty happy it’s back at home.

Phoebe Litchfield: [On winning the World Cup] Oh, so special. Yeah, I think if you told us at the start of the month or a month ago that we’d be here winners, we’re very happy. And I think the way we’ve played all tournament, and it didn’t change today, so it’s a pretty cool feeling. [On her approach during the run chase and batting with Beth Mooney] I think that’s the only way to play T20 cricket (playing a fearless brand of cricket). Throw the first punch, and we’re just trying to get the run rate down to six as fast as possible. And Moons (Mooney) made it look easy out there and took the pressure off me, and we had an awesome partnership. So it’s always lots of fun batting with Moons, running hard and getting creative. But, yeah, it’s just such a cool feeling to contribute and to win the World Cup is pretty cool. [On the celebrations and the Australian fans] Oh, I think it will be led by our skipper Sophie Molineux. She’s the best partier, but I think a shout-out to the Aussie fans in the crowd today. We heard you loud and proud, and, yeah, a few Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, ois in there, which was really cool to hear. So thanks for all for coming. You've come a long way.