15 years ago, England women’s cricket team created history at the Lord’s by becoming the first side to win the ianugural edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Since then, they have made it to the final on three occasions, the last time being 2018, but haven’t managed to add another trophy to their cabinet. Now, Nat Sciver-Brunt and co. return to the ‘Home of Cricket’ with a golden opportunity to do so as the unbeaten hosts take on a formidable Australia women’s cricket team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on Sunday.
Australia, led by Sophie Monileux, have been a force to reckon with in the ongoing series. The number 1 ranked women’s side in T20Is have smothered all teams that they have locked horns with in the tourney and are one win away from adding a 7th T20 WC trophy to their cabinet. Their only roadblock is the England side, who also have been unbeaten and have been at their best in this edition.
Advantage Australia?
For the record, England and Australia have faced each other in three T20 World Cup finals (2012, 2014 and 2018). On all three occasions, the Aussies emerged victorious, having defeated the arch-rivals by 4 runs, 6 wickets and 8 wickets. Out of 10 editions of the tournament that have been held so far, AUS-W have made it to the final on 8 occasions, and have gone on to lift the trophy 6 times. ENG-W, on the other hand, have managed to play just 4 finals, with their last appearance in the finale coming way back in 2018. Surely, Australia’s superior record will give them a psychological advantage heading into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final.
Next, when it comes to the head to head records, Australia have won 22 times while England have won 20 times when the two sides have lcked horns in T20Is. To talk about T20 WCs specifically, AUSW have beaten ENGW 5 times while the latter have emerged victorious only twice. However, England have a perfect 11-0 win-record in T20 World Cup matches at home, featuring an unbeaten run in the inaugural edition in 2009.
What to expect at Lord’s?
The Lord’s Cricket Ground hasn’t exactly been a paradise for spinners (in terms of controlling the flow of runs) as pacers have managed to register lower economy rate, higher dot ball percentage, and a lower boundary percentage compared to them. The fast bowlers have managed to extract more movement with the new ball, especially in the powerplay. However, spinners have taken more wickets.
The last game, in this T20 WC, that was held at the venue was the semi-final 1 between India and Australia. AUS-W chased down the 171-run target set by the Women in Blue with 6 wickets to spare. In three out of five games held at Lord’s in this edition, the side chasing has emerged victorious.
| Pace/Spin | Wkts | Ave | SR | Econ | Dot% | Bnd% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | 8 | 44.75 | 38.5 | 6.97 | 43.5 | 13.96 |
| Spin | 18 | 29.22 | 22.3 | 7.85 | 34 | 15.42 |
| Overall | 26 | 34 | 27.3 | 7.47 | 38.1 | 14.78 |
All eyes on Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry
Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been in red-hot form in the T20 World Cup 2026 and is currently the leading run-getter in the tournament. The England opener has scored three fifty-plus scores, including an unbeaten 105-run knock, in 6 matches. Averaging 73.50 at a strike rate of 152.33, Hodge has done the heavy-lifting for the hosts in the tourney. She has scored the most number of fours in this tournament (41).
England also recieved a timely boost in the form of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s return. The England captain returned after an injury in the semi-final and immediately got down to business. She scored 75 runs off 47 deliveries to help ENGW reach a formidable total. She has scored 169 runs in 3 matches so far, and will be looking to be at her best in the final.
With the ball, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlotte Dean are the leading wicket-takers for the hosts with 9 scalps each. Lauren Bell has been quite economic.
As for Australia, Ellyse Perry is the leading run-getter with 185 runs to her name at an average of 46.25. However, she has an injury concern which will put Australia in a fix, although the team has maintained that she is fine and has trained well for the final. Beth Mooney (174) and Phoebe Litchfield will also play a crucial role with the bat.
Cricket
IND vs ENG: Do-or-die game for Sanju Samson; Shreyas Iyer still eyes first win as captain
