Australia leg-spinner Georgia Wareham made, like an immediate impression really, dismissing West Indies captain Hayley Matthews on the very first ball she bowled in the first semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Kennington Oval in London.
Matthews looked pretty settled after ticking along with 30 runs off 28 balls and she was, you know, trying to shepherd her side towards a solid total. Still, Wareham came up with a quite perfect delivery and it snapped the contest open in Australia’s favor.
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That wicket arrived in the ninth over of the innings. Wareham floated the ball up, aiming at middle stump, and it drifted straight into Matthews. The West Indies captain went for a paddle sweep but, in the end, completely missed it. The ball slid through the gap and crashed into the middle stump, wrapping up Matthews’ innings.
This was a big, defining moment, mainly because Matthews was the lone batter who had looked comfortable against the Australian bowling. Wareham celebrated with her teammates as Australia began inching closer to full control of the game.
Matthews' wicket puts Australia on top
Matthews had already tagged five boundaries during her knock, and she seemed set to push on for something bigger. She and Qiana Joseph put together a handy partnership, but after Matthews fell, West Indies struggled to lift the scoring pace in any meaningful way.
Also, yes, Matthews and Wareham usually play alongside each other for Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League. This time though, Wareham got the better of her with a sleek delivery, leaving her teammate no real answers.
Australia’s bowlers stayed relentless for the full spell. Ashleigh Gardner was excellent, taking two wickets while leaking only six runs across her three overs, Sophie Molineux struck early as well, getting rid of Qiana Joseph.
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West Indies struggle after early wickets
After Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first, West Indies ended up on 73 for 4 after 14 overs.
Hayley Matthews was top scorer with 30 off 28 balls, including five fours, before Georgia Wareham bowled her. Qiana Joseph made 16 off 22 deliveries with one six, before Sophie Molineux dismissed her. Stafanie Taylor was out for zero, caught off Ashleigh Gardner, and Jahzara Claxton also failed to get going , becoming Gardner’s second wicket. Shemaine Campbelle stayed unbeaten on 14 off 19 balls with two fours, and Chinelle Henry was still there on 10 off 10 balls.
West Indies also managed three extra runs, so they finished that stage on 73 for 4 in 14 overs. For Australia, Ashleigh Gardner finished with 2 for 6 from three overs, Sophie Molineux took 1 for 13, and Georgia Wareham immediately made the difference again by taking the prized wicket of Hayley Matthews with her first ball of the match.
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