England were dealt familiar heartache in a World Cup final as Australia claimed a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 crown with a thumping seven-wicket win at Lord’s.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, who carried son Theo out with her for the national anthems, top-scored but used 53 deliveries in her unbeaten 58 and England’s 150 for four proved meat and drink for their Ashes rivals.
Australia made it 7-0 in World Cup finals over England as Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield broke the back of the chase with a 100-partnership in 67 balls to dampen the spirits of a 28,887-strong sellout crowd.
England won all six games to reach this showpiece and lend credence to the idea that they could buck the trend against their oldest foes but Australia, also unbeaten in this tournament, remain a cut above in the women’s game, with Mooney’s 64 and Litchfield’s 48 backing up their earlier discipline with the ball.
Mooney and Litchfield showed a cavalier approach that eluded England, who were bidding to invoke the spirit of 2017 – the last time they won a World Cup, the 50-over edition, also on home soil.
While Sciver-Brunt’s side were unable to create their own Lionesses or Red Roses moment, they have made large strides in recent weeks and will rue having to bat first on a sluggish Lord’s pitch.
