Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain reflects on Australia’s record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title and where things went wrong for England as they suffered an emphatic seven-wicket defeat to the Southern Stars in the Lord’s final…
The two best teams got to the final – but I do think Australia are just that bit ahead of everyone else.
It just sums up where world cricket is at the moment, not just with this England cricket team.
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WINNING MOMENT! Watch how Australia beat England, reaching a target of 151 with 17 balls to spare
You can improve and get to a certain standard, but you feel that standard is not good enough to beat this Australian side.
A score of 150 on that Lord’s surface will probably be enough to beat every other side in this tournament, but it was nowhere near enough against Australia.
When England do debrief, it needs to be ‘how did we end up at 150-4?’
Why not be seven down having gone a bit harder? You have to go a bit harder against Australia as if you get below par you will be gone with two overs to go, like we saw.
I think England’s batting was a little bit timid. They didn’t move around the crease, didn’t come down the pitch.
Australia were very smart with the wicketkeeper coming up. Their planning was meticulous, the execution from the bowlers meticulous and England had nowhere to go.
That’s the problem for this England side. You can play well to get through and play Australia – but you have to improve to beat Australia.
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England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was emotional as she reacted to her side’s defeat and thanked fans for their support
‘England will regret missed opportunity at previous two World Cups’
England, like everyone in world cricket, need to sit down and work out how they get closer to Australia.
It is an unlevel playing field for some nations. There is a difference emerging between the haves and have-nots – who has money, franchise tournament and media rights.
But you can only do what you can do to close the gap.
England will just regret they didn’t show up for the last two World Cups – the T20 World Cup in 2024 and 50-over World Cup in 2025.
Sophie Ecclestone reacts during Australia’s innings
When Australia went missing so did England, so that was a real opportunity.
Looking at the World Cup as a whole, the standard of cricket has been outstanding and the pitches have been really good – exactly what you need for the women’s game.
I know the Lord’s pitch for this final was a bit low and slow, but in general there has been a bit of grass and a bit of pace and bounce
The boundary sizes have been brilliant to bring in fielding, fitness and running between the wickets.
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