• Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux all take three wickets before Deandra Dottin recovers from earlier medical incident to lift the West Indies to 125
• Beth Mooney fires 29-ball half-century as her side ease to eight-wicket victory
• Australia now await winners of Thursday’s semi-final between England and South Africa in the final on Sunday at Lord’s

London: (Muhammad Imran Khan) Australia booked their place in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first semi-final at The Oval on Wednesday.

An unbeaten 61 from opener Beth Mooney guided Australia to a comfortable chase of 126, after the team’s spin attack produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict the West Indies to 125/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Australia will now face the winner of the second semi-final between England and South Africa in Sunday’s championship match at Lord’s.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Australia’s bowlers kept the West Indies under constant pressure despite a brisk start from captain Hayley Matthews, who top-scored with 30.

The breakthrough came when Georgia Wareham dismissed Matthews, triggering a middle-order collapse. Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, and Wareham shared the wickets as the West Indies slipped to 59/4.

Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who had earlier recovered from a medical incident before the match, showed great determination with an unbeaten 26. She shared a valuable 42-run partnership with Jannillea Glasgow to help the West Indies post a competitive total of 125/7.

Australia’s spin trio dominated the innings, with Gardner returning figures of 2/13, Wareham claiming 2/17, and Molineux finishing with 2/30.

Chasing 126, Australia made an aggressive start through Georgia Voll, who struck 16 before being dismissed by Chinelle Henry. Phoebe Litchfield also departed early, leaving Australia at 43/2.

From there, Beth Mooney took complete control of the innings. The left-hander raced to a 29-ball half-century, her second of the tournament, and shared an unbroken partnership with Ashleigh Gardner to steer Australia home with ease.

Gardner remained unbeaten on a quickfire 35 off just 20 deliveries, sealing victory with a boundary as Australia reached 127/2 in only 13 overs.

The victory continues Australia’s outstanding record in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals, marking their eighth win at this stage of the tournament and securing another appearance in the final.

Match Summary

West Indies: 125/7 in 20 overs
(Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26*; Ashleigh Gardner 2/13, Georgia Wareham 2/17)

Australia: 127/2 in 13 overs
(Beth Mooney 61*, Ashleigh Gardner 35*; Chinelle Henry 1/20, Hayley Matthews 1/23)

Result: Australia won by eight wickets and qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final.