ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Flawless Australia favourites coming into final but buoyed England will provide tough test at Lord’s | Cricket News

Australia booked their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final with a dominant eight-wicket victory to make it six wins out of six at the tournament – and the smart money would be on them to make it seven in a row in the final.

Sophie Molineux – taking the reins from the legendary Alyssa Healy after her retirement in March – has captained her side to a perfect tournament thus far, beating pre-tournament favourites India and fellow semi-finalists South Africa in the group stages while posting a staggering net run-rate of 3.882 – over 1.7 points higher than any other team.

The six-time world champions have disposed of every and any opponent they have faced on their way to a seventh World Cup final in nine appearances.

Their form begs the question – do England actually have any chance of beating them?

Australia’s strength in depth key to glittering form

Australia’s threat – with the bat or the ball – can come from anywhere.

Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Brooke Halliday and Ash Gardener all sit inside the top 20 run scorers at the tournament, though none sit inside the top three scorers individually.

Six different players have scored 40 or more in an innings for Australia thus far, ranging from their openers down to No 7 in the order, and seven different players have taken two or more wickets in a game – such is Australia’s strength in depth.

Their semi-final victory exemplified just that. Ash Gardner, who has struggled with the ball throughout the tournament turned up at just the right time, taking two in an over to leave the West Indies reeling at 59-4, having been 59-2 just three balls earlier.

“I feel I haven’t really had an impact with the ball in the tournament so to save my best until now is pleasing,” Gardner said after her win. “I have been pretty inconsistent, but today it worked.

“I felt like this is the best cricket that we’ve played in a very long time. I think I’ve said it before, but we’re not relying on one or two people, so it’s almost like in those big moments different people are standing up, which is amazing to be a part of.”

Do England have any chance?

England have not beaten Australia in any format in close to three years, with their last win coming on July 18, 2023 during the home Ashes series.

Since then, Australia have claimed eight straight victories over their arch-rivals, with their run comprising a whitewash in six away Ashes fixtures, a 2025 50-over World Cup group stage victory, and a six-wicket win in a T20I warm-up for this tournament in June.

England’s semi-final victory, though, will be a huge source of optimism as they overcame a similar hoodoo against South Africa, winning by 40 runs after losing two successive World Cup semi-finals to the Proteas in 2023 and 2025.

Nasser Hussain believes that this “new” England side, buoyed by a coaching change and evidently less affected by the mental strain of past results, stand a good chance of ending their barren run against their old foes.

“Do they still really believe they can beat Australia? That’s the first hurdle they’ve got to get over is themselves. No mental baggage, no mental scarring.

“We are a new England under a new coach and we are coming at you, Australia.

“Are there any weaknesses in that Australia side? I don’t see many, to be honest. Their biggest strength, I would say, is that long batting line-up, that they just keep coming at you.

“Can England beat Australia? Of course they can. Who are favourites? Australia.”

Sciver-Brunt: We can beat Australia

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt:

“Well, I think the way that we’ve gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way that we can beat them.

“Obviously, they’ve got a really long and skilful batting line-up. You don’t just need to take the top-order wickets, you need to keep going.

“I think our bowlers are fully equipped to be able to deal with anything that’s thrown at us.

“Australia are a world-class side that have had huge success in the last few years – different Ashes series, home and away, but I think standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way.”

Litchfield: Different England to Ashes whitewash

Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield:

“England are playing some really good cricket. If you look at the way both teams have played throughout the tournament, you’d say that these two are the best sides.

“It seems like a different England to the one we played in the [2024/25] Ashes.

“The experience and the memories that we have against them always puts us in good stead, because I guess we’ve got the probably the rub of the green over them for the last little bit.

“But I think it’s clean slate; 18 months is a long time, when you look at their leadership, their coaching staff and they way the group has been playing.

“It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere out here. And I think for the fans that come out, it’s going to be a superb match, regardless of the outcome.”

Farrant: Australia are not superhuman

Former England fast bowler Tash Farrant, speaking on Sky Sports:

“They’re not superhuman – but they are the best side by far in this tournament.

“They are so good at performing under pressure.

“Whoever is going to beat Australia need to have their very best day out.

“We saw them drop a few catches in the last game, so you can create the cracks there, but you have to go really hard at them to make sure that they do feel that pressure coming into a final.”

What’s next?

Everyone can stream the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup live for FREE – and without a subscription – on the Sky Sports App and the Sky Sports website.

Download the Sky Sports App on: iPhone & iPad or Android.

Coverage starts at 2.30pm and the game is also available on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix (first ball 3.30pm).