Beth Mooney, Gardner power Australia into eighth Women's T20 World Cup final

NEW DELHI: Six-time champions Australia continued their dominant run in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, crushing West Indies by eight wickets in the first semi-final at the Kennington Oval in London on Tuesday.The victory was Australia's sixth successive win of the tournament and booked their place in the Women's T20 World Cup final for the eighth time.Captain Sophie Molineux won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid rich dividends as Australia's bowlers kept the West Indies batters under constant pressure.West Indies struggle after promising startWest Indies finished on 125/7 from their 20 overs after failing to build on a steady opening stand.Captain Hayley Matthews top-scored with 30 off 28 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Qiana Joseph made 16. The pair added 47 runs for the opening wicket before Georgia Wareham broke the partnership by dismissing Matthews.Shemaine Campbelle contributed 22, but the innings lost momentum after a middle-order collapse.Australia struck at regular intervals as Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton both departed without scoring, reducing West Indies from 55/1 to 59/4.Chinelle Henry added 10, while Jannillea Glasgow chipped in with 15, but the Caribbean side struggled to accelerate.Deandra Dottin, who had earlier caused concern after being carried off the field before the match, showed tremendous determination to return and score an unbeaten 26 off 16 balls, helping West Indies recover to 125/7.Australia's bowlers shineAustralia's spin attack did most of the damage.Ashleigh Gardner was outstanding, conceding just 13 runs in four overs while taking two wickets.Captain Sophie Molineux also claimed 2/30, while Georgia Wareham finished with 2/17.Annabel Sutherland chipped in with one wicket as Australia never allowed West Indies to build any significant partnerships.Mooney, Gardner finish it off in styleAustralia made light work of the chase, reaching 127/2 in just 13 overs.Georgia Voll gave the innings a brisk start with 16 off 11 balls before Chinelle Henry dismissed her.Phoebe Litchfield made four before being trapped lbw by Hayley Matthews, while Ellyse Perry retired hurt after scoring two.Beth Mooney then anchored the chase with a superb unbeaten 61 off just 36 balls, striking eight fours.She found the perfect partner in Ashleigh Gardner, who blasted an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls, including four boundaries and a six.The pair added an unbroken 63-run partnership to seal victory with 42 balls to spare, underlining Australia's dominance.Australia one win away from another titleAustralia's all-round display once again highlighted why they remain the team to beat in world cricket.After restricting West Indies to a below-par total with a disciplined bowling performance, their batters completed the chase with ease.The six-time champions will now head into the final full of confidence as they chase yet another Women's T20 World Cup title. They will face the winner of second semifinal - England or South Africa. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.