Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Australia delivered a ruthless, clinical performance to crush England and clinch a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title, reaffirming their supremacy in the shortest format. Under Sophie Molineux’s leadership, the Aussies once again showed why they remain the benchmark in women’s cricket, sweeping aside the hosts with a dominant seven-wicket victory at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Women’s T20 World Cup final, Australia vs England: Updates | Scorecard
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Chasing 151, Australia were in complete control from the outset, pacing their innings with precision and authority. They got over the line with 17 balls to spare, turning a high-pressure final into a one-sided showcase of their depth and composure. England, who entered the final unbeaten, simply had no answers to Australia’s relentless efficiency.
For England, the defeat prolonged their long wait for a second Women’s T20 World Cup crown, their only title still coming back in 2009. Nat Sciver-Brunt once again produced a valiant effort, scoring a fighting half-century, but lacked support as England fell short.
Australia’s dominance continues a remarkable era of success, especially after their ODI World Cup semi-final heartbreak last year and Alyssa Healy’s retirement. Instead of fading, they have surged back stronger, sealing another global crown in emphatic fashion at Lord’s.
ENGLAND STRUGGLE AT TOP
England endured a difficult start with the bat as Australia struck twice in quick succession to leave the hosts reeling in the final. Asked to bat first, England lost Amy Jones (6) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (8) inside the Powerplay, allowing Australia to seize early control through disciplined bowling and relentless pressure.
Australia’s new-ball attack maintained immaculate lines and lengths, denying England any room to score freely. The early breakthroughs exposed the middle order as Alice Capsey (23) fell after getting a start before Heather Knight (2) was trapped lbw.
SCIVER-BRUNT, KEMP LEAD ENGLAND’S RECOVERY
Just when England appeared headed for a below-par total, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt produced another composed innings to steady the ship. She absorbed the pressure before gradually accelerating, rotating the strike smartly and punishing the loose deliveries to keep England’s hopes alive.
Freya Kemp provided the ideal support in the closing stages with an enterprising knock, taking on the Australian bowlers and finding timely boundaries. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 73-run partnership, frustrating Australia after their dominance for much of the innings.
Their stand helped England recover from 77 for 4 to post a competitive 150 for 4, with both batters running hard between the wickets and making the most of the scoring opportunities in the death overs.
AUSTRALIA BOWLERS IMPRESS DESPITE LATE FLOURISH
Despite England’s strong finish, Australia’s bowlers could take plenty of positives from an otherwise outstanding performance. Lucy Hamilton, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth and Sophie Molineux shared the wickets, combining disciplined lines, clever variations and relentless pressure to keep England in check for most of the innings. The fielders backed them up superbly by cutting off boundaries and converting chances.
However, Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten half-century and Kemp’s fluent cameo ensured Australia could not fully capitalise on their early dominance. Their late partnership transformed the innings, lifting England to a total that looked unlikely after the top-order collapse and giving the hosts a fighting chance in the title clash.
More to follow…
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
