On This Day in 2018: Australia Women Conquered the World T20 Title for the Fourth Time

Australia women’s cricket team, under the leadership of Meg Lanning, scripted history on this day in 2018. Australia got the better of England in the final to be crowned T20 World Cup champions. The resounding eight-wicket win over England, helped Australia in lifting the T20 World Cup trophy for the fourth time at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

Prior to this, the Australia women’s cricket team had won the T20 World Cup in 2010, 2012 and 2014. It was Ashleigh Gardner’s prolific all-round prowess that guided Australia to T20 World Cup glory on this day five years back.

As Australia women’s cricket celebrate a memorable triumph today, we take a look at the big final match between two dominant forces of the game.

Winning the toss, England skipper Heather Knight decided to bat first. The decision seemed to backfire as England batters failed miserably while facing a lethal Australia bowling attack, comprising some big names like Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham.

Megan Schutt claimed the first dismissal of the game after sending England opening batter Tammy Beaumont back to the dressing room for four runs in the fourth over. It was just the start of a massive collapse and Australia bowlers simply ran through their opposition’s batting order.

Another England opening batter Danni Wyatt played a vital knock of 43 to help her side in breaching the three-digit mark. Wyatt also emerged as her side’s top scorer in the summit clash against Australia.

For Australia, spinner Ashleigh Gardner was at her prolific best as she ended up with stellar figures of 3/22 having completed her four overs. Gardner was supported ably by Georgia Wareham and Megan Schutt. Wareham and Schutt picked up two wickets each to restrict England to a below-par total of 105.

Australia did suffer a jolt initially during the run chase but recovered masterfully to cruise to a resounding win. Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy departed early in the match having scored 22. The other opening batter Beth Mooney was the next to be dismissed. The fall of two early wickets did not bother Australia much as they had a comparatively smaller target to chase.

Ashleigh Gardner and skipper Meg Lanning eventually stitched a much-needed partnership of 62 to guide Australia to the silverware. Australia scored the winning runs with 29 balls to spare.