Just days after losing to England in the group stage, Australia produced the perfect response when the two sides met again in the Final in Colombo.
The defending champions made an aggressive start, with Meg Lanning taking 16 runs off a Katherine Sciver-Brunt over as Australia raced through the Powerplay. England’s spinners eventually slowed the scoring, but Jess Duffin counterattacked brilliantly with 45 from 34 balls, while Lisa Sthalekar and Alex Blackwell added valuable late runs to push Australia to a challenging 142.
England’s chase never quite gathered the same momentum. Charlotte Edwards looked threatening early, producing some trademark strokes, but Australia’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding kept the pressure firmly on.
Sthalekar dismissed Edwards after luring her into a lofted shot, before Ellyse Perry removed the dangerous Sarah Taylor with a superb outswinger. Lydia Greenway and Danni Wyatt also fell attempting to accelerate, leaving England constantly behind the required rate.
Jenny Gunn’s late cameo briefly gave England hope, reducing the equation to 16 from the final over, but Australia held their nerve to complete a successful title defence. The victory secured Australia’s second consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup crown.
