The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup continues to exhibit women’s cricket action since its first edition in 2009. Women from qualifying nations converge to deliver exciting limited-overs cricket to many fans worldwide. Each final in this competition has seen tough battles fought for supremacy and a chance to be the top female T20 team in the world.
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is fast approaching, and fans want a glimpse of history from this top competition.
New Zealand versus England (2009)
England hosted the first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup, and the final held at Lord’s in June 2009. The hosts locked horns with New Zealand in this edition’s final after both teams made a spirited effort to reach this stage.
England saw off a determined Australia team by recording a narrow 8-run win. New Zealand handed a shock defeat to India after progressing from a tough group including teams like West Indies, South Africa, and Australia. The New Zealand Women’s team beat India by 52 runs to reach this competition’s inaugural final.
New Zealand batted first at this final and found it difficult to respond against England’s lethal bowling attack. English bowlers led by Katherine Sciver-Brunt ensured New Zealand were restricted to 85 runs, limiting their chances of securing victory.
Sciver-Brunt managed 3 wickets in 4 overs with a 1.5 economy rate to dent the visitor’s title aspirations. England went on to win the game by 6 wickets, becoming the competition’s first champions.
Australia versus New Zealand (2010)
The next Women’s T20 World Cup held a year later in the West Indies and saw Australia face New Zealand in the finale.
New Zealand hoped to douse the pain of their previous final loss with a win against the Australian team. The White Ferns dominated most games in their group which included teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. They won every game in the group stage to cement their smooth sailing to the semi-final. New Zealand also registered a 56-run win vs the host nation to face Australia.
Australia started their first final with a decent 106 target after losing 8 wickets. New Zealand aimed to beat the target by fell short by 3 runs to lose yet another final. Australia had Ellyse Perry to thank for their first title, as she was instrumental to the win with 3 wickets in 4 overs (4.5 economy rate).
Australia versus England (2012)
The Aussies made their second appearance at the Women’s T20 World Cup final against England in 2012. Colombo, Sri Lanka hosted these finalists as they locked horns for the prestigious title.
Australia batted first in the final and set a high target of 142 for 4. England fell short of this target, losing the final by a 4-run margin. The Australian team were able to defend their crown thanks to the dogged batting performance of Jess Duffin (45 runs in the final, 5 boundaries and a six).
England versus Australia (2014)
Bangladesh hosted the 2014 Women’s T20 World Cup that saw a repeat of the competition’s 2012 final. England locked horns vs Australia in Mirpur and the Aussies defended their crown for a second successive edition.
Australia managed to chase the 105 target set by England with 4+ overs to spare, winning the encounter by 6 wickets for a third title in as many editions.
Australia versus West Indies (2016)
The iconic Eden Gardens played host to the West Indies and Australia for their Women’s T20 World Cup 2016 final encounter. Australia aimed to defend their title for a third consecutive edition of this tournament against a determined West Indies outfit.
The West Indies would spring a surprise against the Australians, managing to surpass the Aussie target in 19.1. Hayley Matthews (66 runs) contributed a match-winning performance to give the West Indies their first title while breaking the long-running title defence from Australia for more than a decade.
England versus Australia (2018)
The West Indies hosted the next edition and didn’t make it to the final. Australia and England met for the third time in Women’s T20 World Cup finals at this edition. Australia chased England’s set target of 105 runs in 15.1 overs. The Aussies will return to women’s cricket zenith with an 8 wickets victory confirming their 4th title.
Australia versus India (2020)
India faced hosts Australia at the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup. The Aussies managed an impressive defence of their title against a team determined to cause an upset. Australia posted a huge total of 184 for 4 to put the title out of their opponent’s reach. India could only score 99 runs in the final before they got bowled out, marking an 85-run win for the hosts and a fifth title.
Australia versus South Africa (2023)
Australia faced hosts South Africa at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The Aussies made light work of their hosts after posting a 156 for 6. South Africa fell short of this target to ensure Australia retained their crown for a sixth time.
