History repeated itself at the Home of Cricket in more ways than one on July 05, 2026. Under the iconic Father Time weathervein at Lord’s, the dominant Australia Women’s cricket team once again proved their global supremacy, clinching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals England Women. While the match itself was a masterclass in clinical run-chasing, the post-match festivities captured the sporting world’s imagination, bridging generations of Australian cricket folklore on the famous Lord’s balcony.
Sophie Molineux channels her Shane Warne with famous beer bottle celebration at Lord’s
As the dust settled on Australia’s emphatic triumph, skipper Sophie Molineux ensured the celebration would be etched into cricketing history. Stepping onto the historic Lord’s balcony a couple of hours after lifting the trophy, Molineux paid a heartfelt, high-spirited homage to the late, legendary spin wizard Shane Warne. Clutching a match stump in one hand, she drenched herself with a bottle of beer, directly recreating Warne’s iconic, ecstatic celebration from the 1997 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
Back in 1997, Warne had torn through England with a match-winning seven-wicket haul, prompting a famous balcony celebration that defined the grit and swagger of that golden Australian era. By channelling Warne at Lord’s, the very venue where the Australian men celebrated their 1999 ODI World Cup victory, Molineux did more than just enjoy a hard-fought win. She showcased the deeply rooted culture of Australian cricket, where past legends continuously inspire modern champions. It was a poetic moment: a new-generation leader honouring one of the game’s greatest mavericks on cricket’s grandest stage.
Here’s the video:
Mooney’s sensational innings guides Australia to a record seventh Women’s T20 World Cup crown
Before the champagne could flow, Australia had to execute a flawless tactical chase on the field, hunting down England’s competitive total of 150 for 4. Winning the toss and batting first, England’s innings was anchored by a resilient unbeaten 58 off 53 balls from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and a late explosive cameo by Freya Kemp, who smashed 44 off just 28 deliveries. Despite a tight opening spell from Kim Garth, who picked up 1 for 20 in her four overs, and a crucial breakthrough from Molineux to dismiss Alice Capsey for 23, England set a target that required a measured yet aggressive response.
Australia’s chase was nothing short of ruthless, spearheaded by a sensational innings from opener Beth Mooney. True to her reputation as a big-match player, Mooney anchored the innings beautifully, smashing 64 runs off 49 balls, featuring ten crisp boundaries. She found an excellent ally in Phoebe Litchfield, who played a blistering knock of 48 off 35 balls. Together, they stitched a devastating 100-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the game entirely away from the hosts.
Though Sophie Ecclestone eventually removed Mooney via an lbw review in the sixteenth over, the damage was already done. Ellyse Perry (13*) and Ashleigh Gardner (3*) calmly steered the side home, reaching 153 for 3 in just 17.1 overs. Winning with 17 balls to spare, Australia extended their unparalleled legacy, securing a record seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title in emphatic fashion.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
