Ash Gardner has produced an instrumental display with bat and ball to help Australia book their spot in the weekend's T20 World Cup final in the UK.
The Muruwari allrounder took her best figures for the tournament to help restrict the West Indies' total, and remained unbeaten at the crease with 35 as Australia cruised past the required 126 runs to advance.
Beth Mooney top scored for the victors with 61.
Ash Gardner smacks it for six as Australia close in on the #T20WorldCup final 👏
Watch the #T20WorldCup semi-final LIVE, broadcast details 👉 https://t.co/niBjzedxPu pic.twitter.com/NSW7SthK06
— ICC (@ICC) June 30, 2026
Australia finished top of their pool unscathed, Gardner going on the notch up her second half-century as they sent India home in Sunday night's semi final.
Gardner had been relatively quiet with her offspin across the six matches, taking only the single wicket earlier in the tournament.
Against the Windies overnight, she took 2-13 at an economy of 3.25 — including 12 dots — to help suffocate their innings.
Both wickets came in the 11th over, and were critical, removing Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton for nought.
Gardner was named player of the match, hitting the winning runs over square leg for her fifth boundary with seven overs to spare.
In concerning scenes, the West Indies were dealt a blow before the first ball when allrounder Deandra Dottin collapsed shortly the national anthems, and was later seen in a wheelchair.
She returned to play however, adding 26 runs for her side.
Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham backed up Gardner's bowling to two wickets each, Anabel Sutherland also contributing with 1-26.
Australia broke recent hoodoo in moving into Monday afternoons (local time) deciding fixture.
They had bowed out just short of finals at both the 2024 T20 World Cup and last year's 50-over World Cup.
Their opponent will be decided on Friday night when England meet South Africa in the other semi.
Eyes will fall on Ellyse Perry, who retired hurt with quad awareness during Australia's innings.
