Australia continued its dominant run at the Women's Twenty20 World Cup with a commanding 98-run victory over the Netherlands at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday. The win marked Australia's third consecutive convincing performance, as they posted 219-6—their first 200-plus total in World Cup history and equaling the tournament's highest score. The Netherlands managed only 121-3 in reply.
Mooney Shines Despite Injury Scare
Opening batter Beth Mooney gave Australia a brief scare when she retired hurt on 74 off 42 balls due to a stiff back. However, she later reassured fans, stating, “I’m all good, just precautionary. Probably just not used to all the bus travel we’ve been doing.” Mooney had shared a 50-run opening partnership off 28 balls with Georgia Voll (17) and a 101-run stand off 55 balls with Ash Gardner (58), who returned from an ankle sprain. Georgia Wareham propelled Australia past 200 with a brisk 41 off 18 balls, including 32 runs from boundaries.
With Mooney sidelined and usual backup wicketkeeper Phoebe Litchfield out with a quad issue, Voll took the gloves and performed tidily, taking a catch in the second over as pacer Kim Garth claimed 2-10 in her first two overs.
Netherlands Fight Hard in Debut World Cup
The Netherlands, appearing in its first World Cup, faced an uphill chase of 220. Captain Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis combined for 96 runs from 91 balls between the fourth and 19th overs. Kalis, dropped on 21 and 40, was eventually bowled for 44, while de Leede remained unbeaten on 56 off 57 balls, finishing the match with Robine Rijke—both playing their 100th T20s. “This is a massive moment for us,” de Leede said. “Australia are a quality team (so) to learn from them, see how they go about their innings, it’s just incredible.”
England Overcomes Scotland with Record Crowd
England also maintained a perfect record, defeating Scotland by 38 runs in Leeds in front of 11,419 spectators—a record attendance for a women's match at Headingley. Without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, Charlie Dean led the side, and Sophia Dunkley stepped in at No. 3, earning player of the match honors. “It was great to be back in,” Dunkley said. “That’s tournament cricket, coming in and out of the team, but you know that all 15 (squad players) are going to be important at some point.”
Dunkley helped England recover from the early loss of both openers to spinner Kirstie Gordon. Despite being dropped three times—twice in two balls off Gordon—she scored 57 off 37 balls before being caught in the deep. Freya Kemp (39 off 16) and Dani Gibson (30 off 11) smashed 59 runs from the last three overs, lifting England to 200-5—only the fifth 200-plus total in World Cup history, with England accounting for three of them.
Scotland’s chase started strongly but faded at 162-7. Sophie Ecclestone bowled Kathryn Bryce for her 150th T20 wicket and dismissed Darcey Carter for 29, while Sarah Bryce fell for 34 off 24 in the 14th over. Five England bowlers shared wickets.
Bangladesh Stuns Pakistan with Comeback Win
Bangladesh kept its semifinal hopes alive with a dramatic 23-run victory over Pakistan, recovering from 13-3 to post 123-6 and then restricting Pakistan to 100-8. Pakistan had earlier lost to India and South Africa, while Bangladesh also beat the Netherlands.
After being put in to bat, Bangladesh found itself in early trouble at 13-3. Captain Nigar Sultana anchored the innings against the miserly bowling of Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana. However, a late surge saw Bangladesh plunder 43 runs off the last four overs, with Shorna Akter smashing 39 off 22 balls.
Pakistan’s chase began steadily as openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza put on 49 runs. But the turning point came in the 12th over when slow left-armer Sanjida Akter Meghla took two wickets, reducing Pakistan to 70-4. From there, Pakistan managed only 30 more runs in eight overs, tied down by the spin of Akter Meghla, Rabeya Khan, and Nahida Akter. Pakistan finished at 100-8, handing Bangladesh a crucial win.
