Women’s T20 World Cup 2018: Teams, summary, winner, most runs and wickets

It’s a familiar story with T20 World Cups. Australia dominate, the rest make a hefty fist of it, and succumb when it matters most. That is exactly what happened in the Caribbean in November 2018 when Australia and England once again clashed in the final, but the ladies from Down Under coasted to their fourth title.

This was, however, a ten-team tournament, Ireland and Bangladesh coming through the qualifiers. Group B was a strong one, with all of India, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan clubbed together with Ireland making up the other spot. Group A was comparatively easier, with West Indies, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh making it up.

West Indies and England from Group A, and India and Australia from Group B made it through, with India finishing ahead of Australia to raise hopes of a maiden T20 title. However, controversy in the semi-final regarding the selection of Mithali Raj clouded India, as they crashed to England. Meanwhile, Australia dominated the home side West Indies in the other semi-final to set up the title clash in North Sound.

England were never in it. They were bundled out for 105, Australia chased it down in 15.1 overs, and their eight-wicket victory meant they regained the title West Indies had snatched from them the previous edition. Normalcy was restored.

Semi-final 1, North Sound, Nov 22: Australia 142/5 in 20 overs (Alyssa Healy 46, Meg Lanning 31; Stafanie Taylor 1/20) best West Indies 71 in 17.3 overs (Stafanie Taylor 16; Ellyse Perry 2/2, Ash Gardner 2/15) by 71 runs. Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy.

Semi-final 2, North Sound, Nov 22: India 112 in 19.3 overs (Smriti Mandhana 34; Heather Knight 3/9, Kirstie Gordon 2/20) lost to England 116/2 in 17.1 overs (Amy Jones 53*, Nat Sciver 52*; Radha Yadav 1/20) by 8 wickets. Player of the Match: Amy Jones.

Final, North Sound, Nov 24: England 105 in 19.4 overs (Danielle Wyatt 43, Heather Knight 25; Megan Schutt 2/13, Ash Gardner 3/22) lost to Australia 106/2 in 15.1 overs (Ash Gardner 33*, Meg Lanning 28*; Sophie Ecclestone /12) by eight wickets. Player of the Match: Ash Gardner. Player of the Tournament: Alyssa Healy.

Most runs: Alyssa Healy (Australia) – 225 runs, 5 innings
Most wickets: Deandra Dottin (West Indies) – 10 wickets, 5 matches