Xplorich
Set to be cheered on by a capacity 31,180 crowd, England, who have never lost a World Cup at home — having won on all four occasions previously— will have a formidable task on hand trying to maintain that impressive record when they take on six-time champions Australia, who will be gunning for their record-extending seventh title, in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Lord’s in London.The two powerhouses of women’s cricket will meet in the title decider for the fourth time, having previously clashed in the finals in 2012, 2014 and 2018. England will be attempting to claim their second Women’s T20 World Cup title after they won the inaugural edition — also at Lord’s — back in 2009. Incidentally, their current head coach Charlotte Edwards had lifted the trophy as the England captain at that time.Australia, on the other hand, have bagged the trophy on six occasions in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023.Having handed England a 16-0 Ashes whitewash Down Under at the start of last year, including a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series, Australia will perhaps have the psychological edge.On a familiar roll under new captain Sophie Molineux, who is also their leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps in six matches, Australia knocked India out at Lord’s last Sunday, before thrashing the West Indies by eight wickets in their semifinal. While they were boosted by the return from quad injury of Phoebe Litchfield in the six-wicket against India, the biggest concern for Australia is the fitness of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry.The 35-year-old had to retire hurt during Australia’s semifinal win over West Indies with a quadriceps injury. However, Perry trained well on the eve of the final. For the hosts, the return of captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt has been a big boost as she came up with a matchwinning innings of 75 off 47 balls against South Africa. England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been sparkling form as she is the tournament’s highest run-getter with 294 runs.
