Big picture: Australia target eighth World Cup final
Two days after ousting India and ending the group stage of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup undefeated, Australia have West Indies in their sights in the first semi-final as they chase an eighth T20 World Cup final. The magnitude of what West Indies are up against can be gauged by Australia’s eye-popping record at T20 World Cups.
In nine T20 World Cups, they have made it at least as far as the semi-final each time, qualified for the final seven times and lifted the trophy on six occasions. Incidentally, the only time Australia qualified for the final of this tournament and did not win it was in 2016 when West Indies defeated them by eight wickets. And if the results in the group stage are anything to go by, Australia enter the semi-final as overwhelming favourites.
This is a far contrast to how West Indies have managed the group stage. They started the tournament with a nervy win against New Zealand but were pushed to the brink by Scotland. They then registered a fairly comfortable win against Sri Lanka, but defeats against England and Ireland almost derailed their campaign. They were handed a lifeline with England’s win over New Zealand, which helped them scrape into their sixth T20 World Cup semi-final.
West Indies don’t have a great record against Australia:
two wins and 17 losses in 19 T20Is. In T20 World Cups, they’ve registered just one win in six games, but that win was probably the biggest of their careers, coming at the 2016 final. Five of the 11 players who were part of that winning West Indies side are still around and likely to be part of the XI on Tuesday. Can they inspire West Indies to do the unthinkable, or will Australia continue their bullish run?
Form guide: Australia on a roll
Australia WWWWW (last five matches, most recent first)
West Indies LLWWW
In the spotlight: Ellyse Perry and Hayley Matthews
The footage of Ellyse Perry sticking out her right boot to save a boundary and hand Australia their maiden T20 World Cup in 2010 is part of folklore. Sixteen years on, Perry is still doing her thing as solidly as ever. With Australia in some strife against India chasing 171, she was the difference, scoring a 38-ball 56 and taking her side home. Perry is Australia’s highest run-scorer so far this World Cup and has also been among the wickets. Already part of six World Cup wins, she is an important cog in Australia’s quest for a seventh title.
West Indies have defeated Australia just two times in T20Is and Hayley Matthews was the difference both times, taking home the player of the match award. Her superhuman effort in West Indies’ win over Australia in 2023, when she picked up 3 for 36 and then scored 132 off 64 is recognised as one of the best all-round efforts in women’s T20Is. Since 2023, Matthews has scored 407 runs in six innings against Australia, with three fifties and one century, averaging 101.75. She hasn’t been at her best so far this World Cup but West Indies will hope for another Hayley storm against one of her favourite opponents.
Team news: Henry likely to be fit
With Phoebe Litchfield fit, Australia don’t have any injury concerns and are unlikely to make any changes to the XI that defeated India on Sunday.
Australia (probable): 1 Beth Mooney (wk), 2 Georgia Voll, 3 Phoebe Litchfield, 4 Ellyse Perry, 5 Ashleigh Gardner, 6 Georgia Wareham, 7 Annabel Sutherland, 8 Nicola Carey, 9 Sophie Molineux (capt), 10 Lucy Hamilton, 11 Kim Garth
Chinelle Henry was stretchered off during West Indies’ warm-up game against Australia and while she has since played four of the five games this World Cup, she hasn’t always looked 100% fit. During West Indies’ clash against Ireland, Henry was seen hobbling after her batting innings, while she did not bowl. Henry did not practice on the eve of the semi-final but Matthews expects her to be fit to bowl.
West Indies (probable): 1 Hayley Matthews (capt), 2 Qiana Joseph, 3 Deandra Dottin, 4 Shemaine Campbell (wk), 5 Stafanie Taylor, 6 Jahzara Claxton, 7 Chinelle Henry, 8 Jannillea Glasgow, 9 Aaliyah Alleyne, 10 Afy Fletcher, 11 Ashmini Munisar
The Oval has hosted just one match so far this World Cup, where England chased down New Zealand’s 164 fairly comfortably. The Oval is traditionally a chasing ground, and the team winning the toss might want to chase. The temperatures in London are expected to be in the mid to late 20-degree range on the Celcius scale.
“We have nothing to lose. It puts us in a position where we have nothing to lose out there. We are really proud of what we have done. As a team, we have not been at our best but that means we can still get better.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is ready for the Australia challenge
“She’s like a red wine. She’s someone that’s gotten better and better. She’s someone that always tries to take the game on. For someone with so much experience and so much willingness to keep evolving, it just shows younger players like me that there is no real ceiling on that stuff.”
Ash Gardner on Ellyse Perry after their century partnership against India
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with Cricinfo
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