ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Beth Mooney’s 74 Powers Australia To 98-Run Win Over Netherlands

Australia defeated the Netherlands by 98 runs in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Hampshire Bowl, Southampton, and moved to the top of Group A. Beth Mooney made 74 before retiring hurt, Ashleigh Gardner hit 58, and Georgia Wareham added 41 from 18 balls as Australia scored 219 for six.

The total matched England’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup record score from the tournament opener. The Netherlands, ranked 14th by the ICC, finished on 121 for three despite a 96-run stand between captain Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis. It was the first T20I between the two teams.

Mooney, Gardner & Wareham Stitch Together A Mammoth Total

The Netherlands won the toss and chose to field, but Australia started fast. Mooney struck three fours in a row off Isabel Van der Woning, while Georgia Voll made 17. Ellyse Perry was out for one, then Gardner lifted the pace and reached 1,500 T20I runs with a drive over extra cover.

Mooney reached her half-century from 30 balls, and Gardner brought up her fifty in 28 balls after being dropped on 25. Mooney pulled Iris Zwilling for six before retiring hurt at the drinks break on 74 from 42 balls. Georgia Voll replaced her behind the stumps, with no reserve wicketkeeper in Australia’s squad.

Gardner was caught for 58, but Wareham kept the scoring going with a four from her first ball and three more boundaries off Van der Woning. Australia passed 200 in the 19th over. Wareham fell for 41, and Annabel Sutherland, 11 not out, and Sophie Molineux, 7, closed the innings.

Netherlands respond through de Leede and Kalis

Kim Garth took the first wicket when Phebe Molkenboer edged to Voll. Heather Siegers made nine before Garth trapped her lbw. The Netherlands reached 28 for two in the powerplay, then de Leede, in her 100th T20I, and Kalis kept the chase alive with steady running and sharp strike rotation.

De Leede struck boundaries off Wareham and Molineux, while Kalis hit Alana King for the Netherlands’ first six. De Leede reached 56 not out in the 18th over, her second fifty in three World Cup games. Kalis made 44 before Sutherland bowled her in the final over.

Australia now lead Group A, with Pakistan and India still to play. The Netherlands head to Bristol to finish their campaign with matches against South Africa and Pakistan.