Beth Mooney’s unbeaten half-century and a disciplined performance from Australia’s spinners secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing only 126 at The Oval, Mooney struck an unbeaten 61 from 36 balls as Australia reached the target with seven overs remaining and qualified for their eighth T20 World Cup final.
The victory was not entirely trouble-free, however, as Ellyse Perry retired hurt with a quadricep issue after scoring two from seven deliveries.
West Indies also endured significant drama before and during the match. Deandra Dottin had a medical emergency shortly after the national anthems but recovered in time to bat lower down the order and provide some late resistance.
Australia Spinners Restrict West Indies
Australia’s bowling performance was built around their spin attack.
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Ashleigh Gardner produced an outstanding spell of 2 for 13 from four overs, while Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux also claimed two wickets each.
Their control through the middle overs prevented West Indies from building momentum and ensured the total remained within comfortable reach.
West Indies had defeated Australia only twice in 19 previous T20 Internationals before the semi-final. The gap between the teams was again evident as Australia extended their unbeaten tournament run, while West Indies were unable to build on their narrow qualification for the knockout stage.
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Dottin Recovers After Pre-Match Scare
Dottin caused concern in the West Indies camp when she had to be carried from the field shortly after the anthems. She spent around half an hour receiving treatment in the medical room for an undisclosed issue and appeared unlikely to take part in the innings.
However, with West Indies struggling at 83 for 6, Dottin made a remarkable recovery and came in at No. 8.
She scored an unbeaten 26 from 16 balls, hitting four boundaries. It was her best innings of the tournament and West Indies’ second-highest score of the day behind Hayley Matthews. Her late contribution gave the bowlers something to defend and prevented the total from falling even further.
West Indies Waste A Steady Beginning
With uncertainty surrounding Dottin’s availability, Matthews needed to rediscover the form she had shown when making 48 in West Indies’ opening game.
She appeared to be doing so during the powerplay. Matthews moved to 27 and survived a difficult chance when her pull shot off Kim Garth burst through Lucy Hamilton’s hands at short third.
At the other end, Qiana Joseph struggled for fluency and reached only 6 from 16 deliveries by the end of the powerplay.
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Joseph was later dropped by Georgia Voll at deep midwicket and briefly threatened to accelerate when she sent an Annabel Sutherland off-cutter over long-on.
Wareham then entered the attack in the ninth over and immediately dismissed Matthews. The West Indies captain moved across her stumps attempting a lap shot and was bowled for 30.
The wicket triggered a major collapse, with West Indies losing four wickets for only 12 runs across 17 deliveries.
Gardner Delivers Double-Wicket Maiden
Gardner was introduced immediately after the powerplay and conceded only two runs from her first over.
She then produced a double-wicket maiden in her second.
Stafanie Taylor was dismissed for a second-ball duck after a slower delivery took the leading edge and carried to Garth at midwicket.
Jahzara Claxton followed shortly afterwards, advancing to only her third ball and chipping a catch to Molineux at cover without scoring.
Gardner’s spell removed two potentially dangerous batters and tightened Australia’s grip on the semi-final.
Perry Leaves The Field During Chase
Australia suffered an early concern when Perry retired hurt and left the field for medical assessment. She had made only two from seven balls before experiencing the quadricep problem.
Her departure could have disrupted the chase, but Mooney and Gardner responded with an unbroken partnership of 63 from 37 deliveries. The pair ensured Australia remained comfortably ahead of the required rate and removed any realistic hope of a West Indies comeback.
Mooney Matches T20 World Cup Record
Mooney struck eight fours during her unbeaten 61 and completed her eighth half-century in Women’s T20 World Cup matches. That achievement took her level with recently retired New Zealand great Suzie Bates for the most half-centuries in the tournament’s history.
Mooney reached fifty with a push through midwicket for a single off Matthews and continued to control the chase until the target was within reach.
Gardner, who had also scored an unbeaten half-century against India in Australia’s previous match, finished the contest with a boundary through square leg. She ended on 35 not out from 20 deliveries.
Australia’s commanding victory confirmed their place in another T20 World Cup final, although Perry’s fitness will remain a concern ahead of the title match.
