SOUTHAMPTON, England — The Australian women’s national cricket team extended its perfect run at the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday, securing a dominant third consecutive victory with a 98-run defeat of first-time qualifier the Netherlands at the Rose Bowl.
In a historic batting performance, Australia crossed the 200-run mark for the first time in tournament history, posting an equal tournament-record total of 219 runs for the loss of six wickets. The Dutch side was only able to muster 121 runs for the loss of three wickets in response, never coming close to challenging the massive target set by the defending favorites.
Australia’s run chase got off to a promising start, but delivered an early scare when star opening batter Beth Mooney was forced to retire hurt on 74 runs off 42 deliveries after complaining of a stiff back. Speaking to reporters after the innings, Mooney downplayed the injury, saying the withdrawal was purely a precautionary measure. The issue, she explained, likely stemmed from the extensive bus travel the team has undertaken throughout the tournament, to which she has not yet adjusted.
Despite Mooney’s early exit, Australia’s batting line-up held firm to deliver a record-breaking total. Mooney shared a 50-run opening stand off just 28 balls with Georgia Voll, who scored 17, before building a 101-run partnership off 55 deliveries with all-rounder Ash Gardner, who returned to the side following a recent ankle sprain and finished with 58 runs. It was spinner Georgia Wareham who pushed Australia across the 200-run threshold, bludgeoning 41 runs off 18 deliveries, with 32 of those coming from boundaries.
Mooney’s early departure created an unexpected gap behind the stumps, as the team’s usual backup wicketkeeper Phoebe Litchfield was already sidelined with a quad injury. The gloves were handed to opening batter Voll, who stepped up seamlessly to the role, pulling off a clean catch in just the second over of the Netherlands’ innings. Australian pace bowler Kim Garth capitalized on the early opportunity, taking two wickets for just 10 runs in her opening two overs to put the Dutch side on the back foot immediately.
Making their first-ever appearance at the Women’s T20 World Cup, the Netherlands never looked likely to chase down the target of 220 runs. However, the side delivered a gritty middle-order performance, with captain Babette de Leede and batter Sterre Kalis putting together a 96-run partnership from the fourth over through to the 19th. Kalis, who was dropped twice while on 21 and 40, was eventually bowled for 44 runs. De Leede remained unbeaten on 56 runs off 57 deliveries to close out the innings alongside Robine Rijke, with the pair both playing their 100th Twenty20 international match in the historic fixture.
Speaking after the match, de Leede framed the clash against the world-leading Australian side as a landmark moment for her team. “This is a massive moment for us,” she said. “Australia are a quality team, so to learn from them, see how they go about their innings, it’s just incredible.”
The match was the first of four fixtures scheduled for Saturday at the tournament, with subsequent group stage matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and hosts England against Scotland kicking off later in the day.