Australia Women defeated England Women by five wickets in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up clash at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. After restricting England to 157/6, the six-time champions chased down the target with 10 balls to spare, thanks largely to a superb half-century from Ellyse Perry.
The match also marked the return of England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt from injury, but Australia ensured the hosts struggled to build momentum during the early stages of their innings.
After being asked to bat first, England endured a difficult start as Australia’s seamers struck early. Kim Garth removed Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 4, while Megan Schutt dismissed Amy Jones for 2, reducing England to 6/2 inside the opening three overs. The pressure intensified when Sciver-Brunt’s comeback innings ended on just 3 runs after she became Alana King’s first victim, leaving England in trouble at 19/3.
Alice Capsey and Heather Knight responded with a composed partnership to rebuild the innings. Capsey looked particularly fluent, striking six boundaries in her 45 off 36 deliveries, while Knight contributed a steady 25 from 22 balls. Their stand helped stabilize the innings and guide England through the middle overs.
Australia’s bowlers continued to apply pressure despite the recovery. King delivered an excellent spell, returning figures of 2/10 from her two overs, while Schutt claimed 2/20. Garth also impressed with 1/19 from three overs, and Annabel Sutherland chipped in with 1/15.
England found much-needed acceleration in the closing stages through Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson. Kemp played an aggressive knock of 41 from 27 balls, including four boundaries and a six, while Gibson remained unbeaten on 27 from 16 deliveries. Their late partnership lifted England to a competitive total of 157/6 from 20 overs.
Australia’s reply began confidently, with Beth Mooney immediately putting the bowlers under pressure. The experienced opener raced to 43 from just 26 deliveries, striking four fours and two sixes. Alongside Georgia Voll, who added 17, Mooney helped Australia reach 51 before the first wicket fell.
Although England briefly gained hope after Mooney’s dismissal, Ellyse Perry quickly took control of the chase. The veteran all-rounder produced a masterclass in controlled aggression, compiling 64 from 44 balls and striking nine boundaries. Perry paced her innings perfectly, rotating the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries to keep Australia ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.
Ashleigh Gardner added 12 runs, while Grace Harris contributed one before England managed to make further breakthroughs. However, Australia never appeared under pressure, with Perry anchoring the innings and ensuring the target remained within comfortable reach.
Lauren Bell was England’s most successful bowler, finishing with 2/22 and claiming the key wickets of Gardner and Perry. Sophie Ecclestone picked up 1/31, while Lauren Filer contributed 1/38.
By the time Perry departed, Australia required only two more runs for victory. Annabel Sutherland remained unbeaten on 8, while Tahlia McGrath finished on 2 not out as Australia completed the chase at 158/5 in 18.2 overs.
The result provided Australia with valuable momentum ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with Perry’s match-winning innings complementing impressive bowling performances from Schutt, King, and Garth. For England, Capsey’s positive approach and the late contributions from Kemp and Gibson offered encouraging signs despite the defeat.
