'Moon’ and ‘Stars’ carry Australian women’s cricket team to seventh heaven

By K.R. Nayar 

Australian women lifted the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title for the seventh time, and this time it happened due to ‘Moon’ and the ‘Stars’. Beth Mooney, nicknamed Moon, played a splendid knock of 64, backed by Phoebe Litchfield’s 48. These two, along with the other players, all of whom are worthy of being stars, ensured a seven-wicket win over England in the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5, 2026.

The Australian team is in seventh heaven now, mainly due to their meticulous planning and consistent hard work. They have also won the ICC Women’s World Cup (50-over) seven times, proving themselves to be a power in world cricket. Though Team India are the reigning women’s World Cup champions, they have a long way to go to become a strong force in both formats like the Australians in women’s cricket.

So why is it a treat to watch these Australian women in action? Primarily, it is the confidence with which they walk onto the field announcing they are out to conquer. So lifting World Cups now comes naturally to them. There is a rhythm with which they play right from the first ball of the tournament. How they shift gears as the tournament progresses is remarkable. That is what surprises their opponents.

What lies behind their dominance in both T20 and 50-over formats? Their team is built on layers of excellence, stitched beautifully with ruthless consistency. Their bench, too, is well-prepared, ready for the kill through a splendid training and shaping system. If one of their star players has to step out, another steps in without a drop in quality. Very few women’s teams can boast of such skill, with almost everyone being a game-changer.

To beat England on their home ground in front of nearly 30,000 fans revealed how strong they were in their ability to adapt to conditions. Another example of a women’s team that adapted to different conditions and won was New Zealand when they won the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai. I was reporting that tournament, and it interesting to see how they adapted to the Dubai conditions brilliantly and lifted the title.  Unfortunately, they have not been consistent after that.

Australia winning culture is contagious. Players come into the eleven not just to produce a good show but to steer their team to victory. It’s wonderful to see how they transform pressure into fuel for victory. For them, reaching a final isn’t an achievement —it’s a familiar address. It seems like being there energises them. That could be the reason why their batters accelerate without any panic and their bowlers attack without fear. Big games bring out the best in them.

Be it against the West Indies or India in this T20 World Cup, what one saw in this Australian team is that all their players knew their script. Hence their victories weren’t hard-fought. There was no hesitation, no confusion, only execution with precision, be it in breaking a partnership or going for runs. 

Their fielding exhibits the effort they have put into their fitness. Taking quick singles against them is tough, and dropping catches is rare. This is not a team that peaks occasionally; it is a team that refuses to dip. No wonder their trophy cabinet keeps demanding more shelf space.

When Australian women play, the question is no longer “will they win?” but “how many more ICC trophies will they collect?” Until other teams close the gap in preparation, adaptability, and mindset, Australia will continue to be the spoiler of their hopes. Right now, Australia may have already marked the dates in their calendar for the upcoming ICC white-ball cricket finals.