Australia Women crushed West Indies Women by eight wickets in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Oval. After being invited to bat first, West Indies Women managed 125/7 in 20 overs. Hayley Matthews was the top scorer for West Indies Women, while a short cameo from Deandra Dottin helped the team post a competitive total. Ashleigh Gardner (2/13 in four overs) was the standout bowler for Australia Women, while Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux also claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Australia Women chased down the target in 13 overs despite losing a couple of early wickets. Beth Mooney smashed an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls, while Ashleigh Gardner remained unbeaten on 35 off just 20 balls. Australia Women will now face the winner of England Women vs South Africa Women in the final at Lord's on 5 July.
West Indies face early setback before the match
West Indies had their own major concern even before the match began. Experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin suddenly became unwell shortly after the national anthems and had to be carried off the field. She spent around 30 minutes receiving treatment in the medical room because of an undisclosed illness.
Fortunately for West Indies, Dottin recovered in time to bat later in the innings, giving her side a much-needed boost after their batting order struggled against Australia's bowlers. A crowd of 10,023 spectators attended the afternoon semi-final despite the weekday schedule.
Australia's spinners choke West Indies
Australia’s spinners completely controlled the innings and never allowed West Indies to build momentum. Ashleigh Gardner delivered another brilliant spell, finishing with 2 wickets for just 13 runs in her four overs. Her economical bowling created constant pressure on the opposition.
Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham and left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux also claimed two wickets each, ensuring West Indies never recovered after a promising start. Australia once again showed why their spin attack remains one of the strongest in world cricket.
Australia continue their dominance over West Indies
The result continued Australia's remarkable record against West Indies in T20 internationals. Before this contest, West Indies had managed to beat Australia only twice in 19 T20Is. Australia entered the semi-final unbeaten throughout the tournament, while West Indies had reached the knockout stage after losing two group matches and relying on England's victory over New Zealand to qualify.
The difference between the two teams was evident throughout the match as Australia outplayed West Indies in every department.
Dottin fights back after medical scare
After recovering from her illness, Dottin walked out to bat at No. 8 with West Indies struggling at 83 for 6. She immediately made an impact by scoring 26 runs from just 16 balls, including four boundaries. It turned out to be her best innings of the tournament and the second-highest score for West Indies in the match behind captain Hayley Matthews.
Her late counterattack helped West Indies reach a more respectable total and left many wondering how much stronger their innings might have been had she been fully fit from the beginning.
Matthews shows promise before West Indies collapse
Captain Hayley Matthews finally looked close to regaining her batting rhythm after struggling throughout much of the tournament since making 48 in West Indies' opening match. She received an early lifeline on 27 when Lucy Hamilton failed to hold a difficult catch at short third off Kim Garth's bowling.
Meanwhile, opening partner Qiana Joseph struggled badly for timing and managed only 6 runs from 16 balls during the powerplay. Joseph also survived another chance after Georgia Voll dropped a straightforward catch at deep midwicket. She briefly looked ready to accelerate when she smashed Annabel Sutherland over long-on for six. However, Australia's bowlers quickly turned the game around.
Wareham sparks dramatic batting collapse
Georgia Wareham struck immediately after entering the attack in the ninth over. Matthews attempted an ambitious lap shot but completely missed the ball as Wareham crashed into her stumps. The dismissal proved to be the turning point.
West Indies head coach Shane Deitz reacted with visible frustration as the wicket triggered a collapse. The Caribbean side lost four wickets for just 12 runs in only 17 deliveries, destroying any hopes of posting a competitive total.
Gardner's brilliant spell deepens West Indies' problems
Ashleigh Gardner tightened Australia's grip immediately after the powerplay. She gave away only two runs in her opening over before producing a superb double-wicket maiden in her next.
Gardner removed veteran batter Stafanie Taylor for a second-ball duck after deceiving her with a slower delivery that resulted in a simple catch for Kim Garth at midwicket. Soon after, Jahzara Claxton charged down the pitch but mistimed her shot straight to Sophie Molineux at cover, departing without scoring. Those wickets left West Indies with little chance of recovering.
Mooney leads Australia despite Perry injury
Perry's injury did little to slow Australia's chase. Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner combined for an unbeaten 63-run partnership from just 37 balls, ensuring Australia reached the target comfortably.
Mooney struck eight boundaries during her fluent innings and registered her eighth half-century in Women's T20 World Cups, drawing level with retired New Zealand great Suzie Bates for the most fifties in the tournament's history. She reached her fifty with a single through midwicket off Hayley Matthews.
Gardner, who had also scored an unbeaten fifty against India earlier in the tournament, continued her excellent form by finishing 35 not out from 20 balls. She completed the victory by smashing the winning boundary through square leg.
Australia's all-round display once again highlighted why they remain one of the strongest teams in women's cricket, booking another place in the T20 World Cup final with an emphatic performance.